Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar today declared Pakistan’s readiness to coordinate transport plans, mobilize joint investments, and enhance cross-border facilitation, underscoring the vital role of regional connectivity for stability, economic growth, and collective progress.
Addressing the Regional Transport Ministers” International Conference on Thursday, Dar stated that Pakistan’s strategic location, which links South Asia with Central Asia, the Middle East, and China, positions it as a natural hub for regional integration. He emphasized the necessity of building seamless linkages through road, rail, air, maritime, energy, and digital corridors to transform geography into an opportunity.
The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a widely recognized catalyst for energy infrastructure development and transport connectivity. He described the project as an embodiment of a commitment to building partnerships that deliver tangible benefits not just for Pakistan and China but for the entire region, boosting trade across South and Central Asia.
He noted that Pakistan”s expansive network of motorways and highways serves as the backbone for both regional and domestic connectivity, linking key border crossings to the crucial maritime ports of Karachi and Gwadar.
Referring to specific initiatives, Dar pointed to the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan rail framework agreement as a landmark project set to open new avenues for trade. He also reaffirmed the nation”s commitment to investing in regional energy projects to further bolster cooperation.
Also speaking at the conference, Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan called for practical and actionable measures to strengthen transport linkages, facilitate trade, and deepen regional integration.
The Communications Minister remarked that transport and connectivity are fundamental pillars of economic advancement. He stressed that efficient transport systems are a necessity for ensuring national competitiveness, resilience, and sustainability in the modern global economy.
Khan concluded that the international conference provides a valuable opportunity for nations to share perspectives and forge partnerships aimed at strengthening transport networks and bringing regional communities closer together.