Afghanistan and Kazakhstan Officials Discuss Railway Projects and Economic Cooperation
During a meeting in Kabul between Mohammad Ishaq Sahibzada, Deputy Head of Railways at Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Works, Yerkin Tokhomov, Special Representative of the President of Kazakhstan, and Ghazziz Akbasov, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, the two sides discussed expanding trade, economic, and social relations.
Both parties underlined Afghanistan’s strategic role as a transit corridor connecting Central and South Asia and reviewed the potential commencement of railway construction on the Torghundi–Herat and Herat–Kandahar routes. The reconstruction of the Torghundi–Herat railway was also discussed.
The meeting also highlighted a previously signed $500 million investment agreement between Afghanistan and Kazakhstan. Technical teams from both countries are continuing talks to finalize a new agreement.
According to the agreements made, a joint session is expected to be held soon between ministers and deputy ministers of transport and railway sectors from Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and the United Arab Emirates.
Expanding regional cooperation through infrastructure and transportation projects—especially railway initiatives—could play a significant role in improving Afghanistan’s economy. Although the Taliban administration is pursuing these projects, there are serious concerns regarding its ability to transparently and inclusively manage large-scale developments. Continued political and economic isolation of Afghanistan could hinder the realization and sustainability of such collaborative efforts.
