Taliban Ministry Reports 39% Increase in Rail Freight Transport in 2025

The spokesperson for the Taliban’s Ministry of Public Works has announced that the volume of commercial goods transported through the country’s railway lines in the solar year 1404 (2025) has increased by 39.1% compared to 1403 (2024). According to the spokesperson, approximately 6.1 million metric tons of goods were transported via rail routes in 1404, while this figure was around 4.3 million tons in 1403.

Mohammad Ashraf Haqshenas, the ministry’s spokesperson, stated that the increase in transportation indicates growing utilization of railway infrastructure in the trade sector. However, no details were provided regarding the types of goods transported or the share of exports and imports.

Based on the information provided, the majority of rail transport in 1404 occurred through the Hairatan port route; approximately 4.2 million metric tons of commercial goods passed through this route. Hairatan port, located in Balkh province, is considered one of the country’s most important trade gateways to Central Asia.

Although the Taliban administration presents this increase as a sign of improved trade activities, the lack of detailed reports and limited access to independent statistics make it challenging to accurately assess the impact of this growth on the country’s economic situation and the livelihoods of its residents.