Taliban Reopens Key Railway Segment Linking Afghanistan to Central Asia

DID Press: Abdul Ghani Baradar has inaugurated the reactivation of the fifth section of the Hairatan–Mazar-e-Sharif railway in Balkh, a move officials say will enhance transit capacity and trade flows between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.

The Taliban’s deputy spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat said Baradar attended a ceremony in Balkh province on Thursday, marking the reopening of the railway segment. He described the performance of the Ministry of Public Works in expanding Afghanistan’s rail network as “positive,” adding that economic ties between the two countries have strengthened compared to the past.

Officials said a joint coordination committee has been established, chaired by the governor of Balkh and including relevant institutions, to improve coordination in transport and trade.

The fifth section includes 70 kilometers of main track, 30 kilometers of secondary lines, five operational stations, and the capacity to unload up to 50 freight wagons simultaneously. Taliban authorities stated that reactivation of this segment will ease cargo movement and increase trade volumes between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.

The Hairatan–Mazar-e-Sharif railway, launched in 2011 with Uzbekistan’s cooperation, is one of Afghanistan’s key rail corridors, linking Hairatan port with Central Asia’s railway network. It serves as a primary entry route for goods from Uzbekistan and other regional states, with annual cargo capacity estimated at several million tons.

The line is also part of broader regional transit initiatives, including the Trans-Afghan corridor and wider plans to connect Central Asia with South Asia.