Afghanistan Extends Railway Contract with Uzbekistan - Pajhwok

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Works (MoPW) announced Thursday that the contract for the operation and maintenance of the Hairatan–Mazar-i-Sharif railway line has been extended for two more years with an Uzbek company, Orda.kz reports, citing Pajhwok.

According to a Ministry spokesperson, Mohammad Ashraf Haqshenas, Deputy Minister of Railways Maulvi Mohammad Ishaq Sahibzada led an official delegation to Uzbekistan, where an agreement was renewed with Sogdiana Trans for the years 2025 and 2026.

During the visit, additional agreements were reached with Uzbekistan’s Railway Administration, including plans to begin feasibility studies for the Afghan-Trans project. The two sides also discussed progress on survey and design work for the Mazar-i-Sharif–Herat railway line.

A separate agreement was signed to extend the Hairatan route railway repair project with the Uzbekistan Railway Authority.

Haqshenas also noted that trilateral talks were held among Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan regarding the implementation of the Afghan-Trans project. Uzbekistan has committed to funding the feasibility study, which is expected to start soon.

The Ministry confirmed that survey and design work for the Mazar-i-Sharif–Herat railway line is already underway and is being conducted by Uzbekistan.