Experts and diplomats from Central and South Asia have underscored the urgent need to expedite projects aimed at strengthening connectivity between Central Asia and Pakistan. At an international conference held in Islamabad, participants agreed that improving direct links—through transport, energy corridors, trade avenues, and digital financial services—will bring significant benefits to both regions.
The conference, titled “Central Asia and Pakistan: Efforts and Prospects for Connectivity,” took place at the Center of Pakistan and International Relations in collaboration with Diplomatic Journal Pakistan in the World. Notable speakers included ambassadors from Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan, as well as representatives from Romania, the Greek Pakistan Chamber of Commerce, civil society, and academia.
Discussions centered on major regional projects such as the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) gas pipeline, CASA-1000 electricity project, the Trans-Afghan Railway, and various multimodal trade and transit corridors. These initiatives were recognized for their potential to unlock new energy sources, expand markets, speed up the movement of goods, and boost economic development.
Ambassador Atadjan Movlamov of Turkmenistan highlighted the TAPI gas pipeline as a priority due to its expected contribution to Pakistan’s energy security, transit revenues, and job creation. He also discussed Turkmenistan’s transport links with Afghanistan and the country’s commitment to transport modernization and sustainable development, particularly for landlocked nations.
Tajikistan’s Ambassador, Sharifzoda Yusuf Toir, emphasized the importance of people-to-people contacts and the timely completion of CASA-1000, which connects Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. He called for the establishment of direct banking channels to ease trade-related financial transactions between the countries.
Uzbek Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev detailed progress on the Trans-Afghan Railway, noting that Uzbekistan and Pakistan are financing the feasibility study. The railway will require constructing 647 kilometers of new lines and is projected to be completed in five years, boosting opportunities for regional trade, agriculture, and education.
Azerbaijan’s Ambassador Khazar Farhadov addressed the conference online, highlighting direct air links and the expansion of the Baku-Tbilisi corridor, which has substantially increased trade movement from Central Asia. He encouraged greater engagement between private sectors to take advantage of new transport and digitalization opportunities, citing joint investment funds that could serve as a model for future cooperation with Pakistan.
Participants concluded that the development of new transport and logistics corridors, expansion of trade and economic partnerships, and deeper energy sector cooperation are crucial for achieving sustainable development across Central and South Asia.
