Kazakhstan Reports Progress on CASA Railway Corridor Through Afghanistan to Pakistan Ports

Kazakhstan's Ministry of Transport has announced progress on the CASA railway corridor project, aimed at providing Central Asian countries with access to South Asian seaports via Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The route begins at Torghundi in northwest Afghanistan, passes through Herat and Kandahar provinces, reaches Spin Boldak on the Afghan-Pakistani border, and continues to Pakistan's seaports, the ministry stated. The initiative seeks to link the transport networks of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Memorandums of understanding have been signed between the involved countries, and a joint working group comprising relevant government institutions has been established, according to the ministry. Current efforts include preparing framework agreements, conducting technical-economic studies and developing project financing methods. The financial model and Kazakhstan's specific participation will be outlined in forthcoming investment agreements.

Implementation timelines will be determined after the completion of these studies and investment documents, the ministry said. The project is expected to increase transit capacity, diversify routes, reduce transportation costs, boost goods transit volumes and strengthen regional economic ties.

Serik Zhumangarin, Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister, previously highlighted that the country's lack of direct access to the sea represents a fundamental economic challenge.