Pakistan and Russia agree to enhance road and rail links to improve access to warm water ports.

(News desk)Pakistan, Russia Agree to Boost Regional Connectivity through Road and Rail Projects

In a major step toward strengthening regional connectivity, Pakistan and Russia have agreed to work together on developing an extensive road and railway network that would link Pakistan with Russia and the Central Asian states. This initiative is expected to provide landlocked countries in the region with direct access to warm-water ports via Pakistan.
The agreement was formalized during a high-level meeting between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Communications, Abdul Aleem Khan, and Russia’s Deputy Minister of Transport, Andrey Sergeyevich Nikitin. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) transport ministers’ conference in Tianjin, China.
Both leaders stressed the importance of accelerating infrastructure development to enhance economic ties and trade across the region. The proposed network is part of a broader strategy to establish Pakistan as a key transit hub, connecting trade corridors from Central Asia to global markets.
Minister Abdul Aleem Khan highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to modernize its transport infrastructure, including the implementation of digital systems, contactless motorways, e-tagging, and expanded CCTV monitoring. These advancements, he said, aim to streamline logistics and promote cross-border commerce.
Deputy Minister Nikitin expressed confidence in the potential of Pakistan-Russia collaboration to reshape regional trade routes. He reiterated Russia’s readiness to engage in joint transport and infrastructure initiatives with Pakistan.
The meeting also touched on the overarching goals of the SCO conference. Pakistan’s delegation, led by Minister Khan, played an active role throughout the three-day event. Chinese Minister of Transport Liu Wei welcomed the Pakistani team and held discussions with them.
During the conference, Pakistani officials met with representatives from various SCO member countries. In his speech, Minister Khan outlined recent reforms in Pakistan’s communications sector, including increased revenue from the National Highway Authority and the expansion of motorways. He also discussed plans to enhance land connectivity with China and Afghanistan.
The delegation, which included the federal secretary for communications and other senior officials, reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to positioning transportation as a driver for regional trade and economic integration