Abu Dhabi, UAE
Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are set to bolster their deep-rooted diplomatic and economic partnership by enhancing cooperation in the critical area of rail infrastructure. The commitment aims to upgrade Pakistan’s rail network, a move designed to turbocharge trade, improve regional connectivity, and support sustainable economic expansion.
The announcement followed a high-level meeting in Abu Dhabi between Pakistan’s Minister of State for Finance and Railways, Bilal Azhar Kayani, and the UAE’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei. The ministers explored “opportunities to strengthen cooperation in upgrading Pakistan’s rail network to boost trade, enhancing connectivity and supporting sustainable economic growth,” according to a statement from the Public Information Department (PID).
The ministers reaffirmed the “strong brotherly ties between both countries” and expressed a shared dedication to “advancing mutual prosperity and promoting environmentally responsible transport solutions in the region,” underscoring a commitment that extends beyond economics to encompass sustainable development. The UAE is already one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners in the Middle East and a major source of remittances, thanks to a large Pakistani expatriate community.
The pivotal meeting took place on the sidelines of the Global Rail Infrastructure Conference and Exhibition (September 30 to October 2), a major international event bringing together global policymakers and industry leaders.
Earlier, Minister Kayani participated in a ministerial panel discussion titled “Building Connected Nations,” where he emphasized the central role of modern transport infrastructure in driving sustainable economic prosperity.
“It goes without saying that infrastructure and economic prosperity are intertwined,” he noted. Kayani highlighted how robust connectivity can unlock growth, create jobs, and significantly strengthen regional integration.
He cited Pakistan’s recent infrastructure successes, including the construction of a vast motorways network that has improved provincial connectivity and boosted freight movement across the country.
The Minister also outlined Pakistan’s ambitious vision to transform its railway sector into an efficient, reliable, and environmentally sustainable backbone of national transport. He specifically underscored the importance of upgrading two major railway corridors—ML-1 and ML-3—which he described as critical for boosting regional trade and aligning Pakistan’s rail network with international standards. The planned cooperation with the UAE is seen as a crucial step toward realizing this modernization vision.
