Connectivity vital for stability and shared growth, Pakistan tells regional forum
ISLAMABAD
Pakistan’s top diplomat on Thursday said regional connectivity is essential for stability and shared progress, stressing the need for greater cooperation among neighboring countries.
Addressing the opening session of a two-day Regional Transport Ministers Conference in Islamabad, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said regional cooperation directly affects the lives of millions in the wider region.
“Your presence here demonstrates our shared commitment to advancing connectivity, fostering collaboration, and achieving shared prosperity,” Dar said, adding “In today’s world, regional connectivity is not optional, it is essential for stability, growth, and shared progress.”
Transport ministers from Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Iran, Belarus, Turkmenistan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives are attending the conference, along with representatives from the United Nations, Asian Development Bank, and Economic Cooperation Organization.
Dar said the expanding network of trade routes, pipelines, and transport corridors is linking Asia’s economies at a faster pace.
He called the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor a game changer, saying the project makes Pakistan a natural hub for regional connectivity.
Dar also pointed to major transport initiatives such as the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway Framework Agreement and the Istanbul-Tehran-Islamabad corridor, which “offer cost-effective land bridges across Europe, Central Asia, and South Asia.”
He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to energy cooperation through projects like CASA-1000 and the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP 500) electricity transmission line, which aim to improve energy security and support economic growth.
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