Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has underscored the importance of regional connectivity for stability, economic growth, and collective progress. Addressing the Regional Transport Ministers’ International Conference in Islamabad, he stated that Pakistan is prepared to coordinate transport plans, enhance cross-border facilitation, mobilize joint investments, and strengthen regional value chains.
According to Radio Pakistan, Deputy Prime Minister Dar highlighted Pakistan’s strategic location as a natural hub for regional connectivity, linking South Asia with Central Asia, the Middle East, and China. He emphasized the need to build seamless linkages through road, rail, air, maritime, and energy and digital corridors, turning geography into an opportunity for the region.
The Deputy Prime Minister further mentioned that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is widely recognized as a catalyst for energy infrastructure development, transport connectivity, and enhanced trade across South Asia and Central Asia. He noted that CPEC embodies the commitment to building partnerships that deliver tangible benefits not only for Pakistan and China but for the entire region.
Furthermore, Dar highlighted the role of Pakistan’s motorways and highways as the backbone of regional and domestic connectivity, linking key border crossings to the ports of Karachi and Gwadar. Referring to key connectivity initiatives, he described the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan rail framework agreement as a landmark initiative to open new trade avenues. He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to investing in regional energy projects.
Addressing the conference, Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan emphasized the need for practical and actionable measures to strengthen transport linkages, facilitate trade, and deepen regional integration. He noted that transport and connectivity are pillars of economic growth and stressed that efficient transport systems are essential for competitiveness, resilience, and sustainability. Khan added that the conference provides an opportunity to share perspectives and forge partnerships to strengthen transport networks and bring communities closer together.