ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Pakistan and Russia have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing regional connectivity through a joint initiative aimed at developing integrated road and rail networks, allowing landlocked Central Asian states to access warm water ports via Pakistan.
High-Level Talks Held at SCO Conference
The agreement was made during a bilateral meeting between Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan and Russia’s Deputy Minister of Transport Andrey Sergeyevich Nikitin, held on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) ministerial conference in Tianjin, China.
Both sides emphasized the urgency of accelerating infrastructure development to support trade corridors linking Pakistan to Russia and Central Asia, with the goal of positioning Pakistan as a key regional transit hub.
Strategic Connectivity and Digital Transport Reforms
Minister Abdul Aleem Khan highlighted Pakistan’s progress in modernising its transport infrastructure, which includes the rollout of barrier-free motorways, mandatory electronic tagging, and enhanced CCTV surveillance. These reforms aim to boost cross-border trade efficiency and improve regional linkages.
“Pakistan is committed to digitising its transport network to support seamless trade integration,” Khan stated.
Nikitin acknowledged the strategic significance of Pak-Russia collaboration and reiterated Moscow’s support for advancing joint infrastructure and transport ventures.
Engagement at SCO and Broader Regional Goals
Beyond bilateral discussions, the two sides also reviewed broader regional objectives aligned with the SCO’s vision for economic cooperation and connectivity.
The Pakistani delegation, led by Khan and including senior officials from the Ministry of Communications and the National Highway Authority (NHA), actively participated in the three-day conference. During the event, Khan also addressed attendees, outlining Pakistan’s communication sector reforms and improvements in motorway and NHA revenues over the past 15 months.
The minister reiterated Islamabad’s long-term focus on expanding land corridors through China and Afghanistan as part of Pakistan’s vision to support sustainable regional trade.
Commitment to Regional Integration
Pakistani and Russian officials concluded the meeting with a shared commitment to pursue collaborative infrastructure projects that align with the SCO’s integration framework and regional trade development strategy.
Chinese Minister of Transport Liu Wei welcomed the Pakistani delegation, reinforcing the multilateral spirit of cooperation among SCO member states.
