KABUL (Pajhwok): Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation, has welcomed Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s support for the Afghan-Trans corridor project, describing it as an important step toward strengthening regional connectivity.
Khalilzad said the success of the project could contribute to greater stability and prosperity in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia.
The proposed railway corridor, stretching 681 kilometres through Afghanistan, is expected to link Central Asian countries with Pakistan’s ports of Gwadar and Karachi.
According to reports, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said during the opening ceremony of the Fifth Tashkent International Investment Forum that Uzbekistan was actively pursuing the Afghan-Trans corridor project to secure access to southern sea routes.
He stressed that completion of the project would help integrate the region into a broader transport network connecting Asia and Europe.
In a post on X, Khalilzad praised Mirziyoyev’s leadership and support for the initiative.
“This corridor is a very important step toward connecting Central Asia and Afghanistan to South Asia, the Arabian Sea, the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean,” he wrote.
He added that successful implementation of the project could boost economic prosperity and enhance stability across Central Asia, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Khalilzad identified strained relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan as one of the key challenges facing the project.
“The obvious and potential benefits of this project should provide further incentive for both countries to resolve their differences through diplomacy and mutual agreements,” he said.
He also noted that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) had expressed interest in the project and said Pakistan’s military leadership should respond positively.
Khalilzad urged both sides to focus on a constructive and hopeful future and avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.
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