- Strategic location makes Pakistan a hub for regional connectivity: DPM
- Dar emphasizes seamless linkages through road, rail, air and digital corridors.
- Underlines Pakistan’s desire to strengthen regional value chains
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ishaq Dar on Thursday highlighted the importance of regional connectivity for stability, economic growth and collective progress.
Addressing the International Conference of Regional Transport Ministers in Islamabad on Thursday, he said Pakistan was ready to coordinate transport plans, improve cross-border facilitation, mobilize joint investments and strengthen regional value chains, reported Radio Pakistan.
He mentioned that Pakistan’s strategic location, connecting South Asia with Central Asia, the Middle East and China, makes it a natural hub for regional connectivity.
Stressing that the region needs to establish seamless linkages through road, rail, air, maritime, energy and digital corridors, turning geography into opportunity, the DPM said CPEC is now widely recognized as a catalyst for energy infrastructure development, transport connectivity and improved trade across South Asia and Asia central.
Dar further noted that the initiative embodies the country’s commitment to building partnerships that bring tangible benefits not only to Pakistan and China, but to the entire region.
He said that Pakistan’s highways and highways form the backbone of regional and national connectivity linking major border crossings with the ports of Karachi and Gwadar.
Referring to key connectivity initiatives, the Deputy Prime Minister said the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway Framework Agreement is a historic initiative to open new trade routes. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to investing in regional energy projects.
Addressing the conference, Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan highlighted the need for practical and feasible measures to strengthen transport links, facilitate trade and deepen regional integration.
The minister highlighted that transport and connectivity are pillars of economic growth and said efficient transport systems are a necessity for competitiveness, resilience and sustainability.
Khan noted that the conference provides an opportunity to share perspectives and forge partnerships to strengthen transportation networks and bring our communities together.
