The National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar, convened its 13th meeting in Islamabad to discuss Pakistan’s efforts to enhance trade and regional connectivity with Central Asian countries. The session focused on reviewing progress in infrastructure and logistical partnerships that are expected to strengthen Pakistan’s linkages with neighboring states.
During the meeting, representatives from the Ministry of Railways provided updates on the recently established Pakistan-Afghanistan-Uzbekistan framework agreement. This agreement sets out plans for a joint feasibility study on the proposed railway linking Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, which is seen as a vital step toward facilitating efficient and reliable cross-border trade.
The Ministry of Communications also briefed the Committee on new logistics cooperation agreements with Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan. These agreements aim to improve trade and transit operations and help open new routes for Pakistani exports and imports. Committee members urged that focus be placed on projects that are achievable in the short and medium term. They requested that future briefings include a clear timeline for each connectivity project and an assessment of the efficiency of each trade route.
The Committee also reviewed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ summary of recent diplomatic engagements. Committee members requested that future reports detail the outcomes and strategic direction of these high-level interactions, rather than just listing visits and timelines. The chairperson emphasized the importance of targeted and well-prepared briefings to ensure more productive discussions in upcoming meetings.
Some items on the agenda, including further review of diplomatic work and progress on previous recommendations, were deferred to the Committee’s next session. With active participation from several National Assembly members, the Committee signaled its commitment to facilitating practical steps for regional cooperation and more dynamic foreign policy initiatives.
