Abu Dhabi, UAE:
Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to strengthen their partnership on rail modernization and regional connectivity, aiming to boost trade and support sustainable economic growth. The agreement was reached during a high-level meeting in Abu Dhabi.
According to the Press Information Department (PID), Pakistan’s Minister of State for Finance and Railways, Bilal Azhar Kayani, met with the UAE’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei. Discussions focused on exploring “opportunities to strengthen cooperation in upgrading Pakistan’s rail network to boost trade, enhancing connectivity and supporting sustainable economic growth.”
The ministers reaffirmed the “strong brotherly ties” between the nations and expressed a shared commitment to advancing mutual prosperity and promoting “environmentally responsible transport solutions” in the region. The UAE is a key economic partner for Pakistan, being one of its largest trading partners in the Middle East and a major source of remittances.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Global Rail Infrastructure Conference and Exhibition. Minister Kayani had previously participated in a ministerial panel, emphasizing the central role of modern transport infrastructure in driving sustainable economic prosperity.
Minister Kayani highlighted Pakistan’s vision to transform its railway sector into an efficient, reliable, and environmentally sustainable national transport backbone. He specifically stressed the need for the upgradation of two major railway corridors—ML-1 and ML-3—as critical steps toward boosting regional trade and aligning Pakistan’s rail network with international standards.
