Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 7 August 2024, the rebuilt Naibabad railway station was officially inaugurated. The restoration work was carried out by Uzbekistan Railways in collaboration with the Termez Regional Railway Hub and Sogdiana Trans, under a contract with the Afghan Railway Administration.

The opening ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials from Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. Uzbekistan was represented by Ismatulla Irgashev, the President’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, and Hikmatulla Rakhmetov, First Deputy Chairman of Uzbekistan Railways. Afghan representatives included Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Governor of Balkh Province Muhammad Yusuf Wafa, Minister of Public Works Al-Haj Mohammad Iso “Soni”, Deputy Minister of Public Works for Railway Affairs Alhaj Bakhtulrahman Sharafat, and other officials.

During the ceremony, the first cargo trains arrived at Naibabad Station, marking the beginning of a new phase in the development of regional transport infrastructure. Speakers emphasized Afghanistan's significant role in regional logistics, noting that, despite being landlocked, the country is crucial in connecting Central Asia with South Asia through road and rail routes. In this context, the newly restored Naibabad Station, completed by Uzbek specialists, will serve as a key hub for transporting goods from Russia, Kazakhstan, China, and European countries through Afghanistan to Pakistan, India, and other South Asian countries.

Particular attention was given to the Trans-Afghan Railway project, which will connect Mazar-i-Sharif, Kabul, and Herat, promising to significantly improve regional logistics and create new opportunities for trade and economic cooperation.

In conclusion, the Afghan side expressed gratitude to their Uzbek colleagues for the repair and restoration of the 75-kilometer railway line and Naibabad Station. Both sides confirmed their mutual interest in further cooperation, which will benefit all participants.

The opening of Naibabad Station marks a new phase in the development of regional infrastructure and the strengthening of economic ties between Central and South Asia.