The Naibabad–Kharlachi rail link is a key, 573 km segment of the ambitious $7 billion Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) railway project, designed to connect Central Asia to Pakistani seaports, the Astana Times reported. As of early 2026, the three nations are conducting feasibility studies for this route, which passes through Mazar-i-Sharif and Logar in Afghanistan, entering Pakistan at the Kharlachi border in Kurram Agency, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, The Times of Central Asia noted

Key Project Details (as of March 2026):

  • Significance: Aims to reduce transit time for cargo between Uzbekistan and Pakistan from 35 days to just 3–5 days.
  • Route: Starts in Termez, Uzbekistan, passes through Mazar-i-Sharif, Kabul, and Logar, enters Pakistan via the Kharlachi border, and connects to the Pakistani rail network.
  • Status: A Framework Agreement on the Joint Feasibility Study was signed in July 2025, with feasibility studies for the project, including the Naibabad–Kharlachi section, currently in progress.
  • Goal: To enhance regional connectivity, allowing landlocked Central Asian countries access to Pakistani ports (Karachi, Gwadar). 

The project, which has seen increased cost estimates to $7 billion due to logistical challenges, is considered a vital link for regional economic integration. 

Courtesy by: Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) , Dawn