ISLAMABAD (APP) – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to advancing regional connectivity and inclusive growth, declaring the country a pivotal hub for cross-border transport, trade, and investment collaboration.
Speaking at the Regional Transport Ministers’ Conference, Dar emphasized Pakistan’s strategic role in transforming geography into opportunity. “We are ready to coordinate transport systems, streamline border facilitation, mobilize joint investments, and strengthen regional value chains,” he stated.
The conference, hosted by the Ministry of Communications under the theme “Regional Connectivity: Opportunities for the Region,” brought together transport ministers from 11 countries including Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Central Asian states, alongside representatives from global organizations such as the ADB, ECO, IRU, and UNESCAP. A total of 27 nations are participating to foster sustainable transport cooperation.
Dar highlighted the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a cornerstone of regional infrastructure and trade integration, benefiting not only Pakistan and China but the broader South and Central Asian region. He also spotlighted key initiatives like the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway Framework and the Istanbul-Tehran-Islamabad Corridor as transformative for global trade.
“Pakistan’s extensive motorway and highway network connects border crossings to major ports, enabling faster transit and reducing costs,” Dar noted. He underscored Pakistan’s active role in energy projects such as CASA-1000 and TAP-500, aimed at bolstering energy security and economic growth.
To facilitate smoother movement across borders, Dar announced expanded e-visa access for citizens of 126 countries and stressed the importance of digital platforms and e-port integration for efficient, paperless trade.
“These initiatives are not just infrastructure—they are instruments of peace, prosperity, and shared progress,” he said, inviting regional partners to align strategies and forge lasting partnerships. “Connectivity builds trust, opportunity, and a shared destiny.”
