Pakistan ready to become the hub of six new global trade corridors, Abdul Aleem Khan

Shiite News: Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, while addressing the Kazan Forum, has said that 6 potential trade corridors connecting Pakistan with Central Asia and Europe have been identified. Karachi, Quetta and Gwadar will have a central position in these corridors.

He said that Pakistan wants to establish a network from Iran to Azerbaijan and Russia through roads.

In addition, a potential trade route from Karachi to Moscow via China and Kazakhstan is also under consideration, while Turkmenistan and Moscow can also be accessed from Gwadar via Afghanistan.

Abdul Aleem Khan said that Pakistan is now not just a transit corridor but an economic bridge between South and Central Asia.

He said that Pakistan is implementing other regional and international agreements including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

He also mentioned the proposed railway project from Mazar-e-Sharif to Kohat, which is estimated to cost $633 million. He also described the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway (M6) as an attractive project for investment.

The Federal Minister said that a pilot project of a train to Russia via Iran is also under completion, which will usher in a new era of freight transport. He said that Pakistan is providing access to warm waters to “landlocked” states and since 2023, the National Logistics Cell (NLC) is providing cargo services to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

During his address at the Kazan Forum, the Federal Minister extended his congratulations to the Russian President and also welcomed Russian Deputy Prime Minister Murat Khasnolin and Transport Minister Roman Starovet. He termed the Kazan Forum as auspicious and beneficial for the participating countries.

Abdul Aleem Khan said that Pakistan has so far introduced visa on arrival for 126 countries and visas have been issued to more than 12,500 businessmen and tourists, which is an important step towards promoting foreign investment and tourism.