By Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram
Executive Director, Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future (PRCCSF), Islamabad
The reopening of the Naibabad railway station on the Hairatan-Mazar-e-Sharif line is a vital step in strengthening connectivity between Central and South Asia. Led by Uzbekistan Railways, this development highlights Uzbekistan’s strategic role in promoting regional cooperation and economic integration.
Strategic Significance of Naibabad Station:
Naibabad station is located on the 75-kilometre Hairatan-Mazar-e-Sharif railway, first built in 2010 to facilitate trade between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. The line enables direct goods transportation across the region.
After years of inactivity, Naibabad station has now been restored at a cost of $6.3 million, reaffirming a commitment to building efficient trade corridors. The project was completed by Uzbekistan Railways, in partnership with the Termez Regional Railway Junction and Sogdiana Trans, under an agreement with the Afghan Railway Authority.
Reduced Costs and Improved Transit Times:
The railway is expected to cut transportation time from Uzbekistan to Pakistan from 30–35 days to just 10–15 days. This is a major improvement in regional logistics and will significantly lower costs.
The broader Trans-Afghan Railway Project—a planned 573-kilometre railway from Mazar-e-Sharif to Kabul and Peshawar—further supports this development. Signed by Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan in February 2021, this project could reshape trade dynamics across the entire region.
Expanding Trade Routes and Reducing Dependency:
Reopening Naibabad station is part of a wider initiative to turn the Hairatan-Mazar-e-Sharif railway into a regional commercial artery. Goods from Russia, Kazakhstan, and China will now be able to pass through Afghanistan into Pakistan and India, bypassing longer and costlier Iranian routes.
This also allows Pakistan to directly access Central Asian markets, placing it in a stronger position within the regional trade framework.
Regional Impact and Investment Potential:
The Trans-Afghan Railway is projected to cost $5 billion and be completed by 2027. Beyond logistics, it is expected to attract substantial foreign direct investment (FDI) and encourage economic growth across multiple nations.
Moreover, these transport initiatives will strengthen political and economic stability. They promote regional cooperation, particularly for Afghanistan and Pakistan, and support the long-term goal of peace through prosperity.
Uzbekistan’s Role in Connectivity Leadership:
Uzbekistan is emerging as a key driver of infrastructure development across Central and South Asia. The country’s efforts—including the Naibabad station reactivation and Trans-Afghan Railway leadership—reflect a clear commitment to economic unity.
These efforts align with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s vision to make Central Asia a regional hub for trade, security, and sustainable development. Through strategic infrastructure and transportation projects, Uzbekistan aims to integrate the region into the global economy.
A New Era for Central and South Asia:
The reopening of Naibabad station is not just a local development it is a regional milestone. As these initiatives unfold, they promise to transform Central and South Asia into a more interconnected and economically vibrant region.
With greater infrastructure, reduced trade barriers, and active cooperation, the region is now moving towards a shared and prosperous future.
