By:ABID Siddique CHAUDHRY,

The World Ambassador

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Islamabad, August 7, 2025 – The Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Yerzhan Kistafin, and the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Atajan Movlamov, met with Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Railways, H.E. Mr. Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral and trilateral cooperation.

The meeting focused on enhancing connectivity between Pakistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan through the development of railway infrastructure, boosting regional trade, and exploring overland freight transportation opportunities.

Federal Minister Hanif Abbasi highlighted the close and friendly relations Pakistan enjoys with both brotherly countries and stressed the importance of modernizing and expanding the railway network to support regional integration and economic growth. He noted that establishing direct rail links with Central Asian states would play a key role in promoting trade and investment.

Ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin and Ambassador Atajan Movlamov commended Pakistan’s efforts to upgrade its railway sector and expressed readiness to work on joint projects. The parties agreed to establish a working group comprising relevant institutions from the three countries. This group will examine proposed railway corridors, assess technical cooperation needs, and identify potential investment avenues.

The envoys emphasized that improved railway connectivity would not only enhance commercial exchanges but also strengthen people-to-people ties, contributing to greater economic prosperity and stability across the region.