Pakistan will host a two-day Regional Transport Ministerial Conference in October 2025, bringing together key stakeholders from across South Asia, Central Asia, and beyond to strengthen economic and transport linkages.
The announcement was made by Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan during a high-level consultative meeting on Thursday, according to an official press release.
Countries including China, Russia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and the Central Asian republics will be invited to participate, alongside regional neighbors such as Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Iran.
The minister emphasized that the summit aims to enhance both Government-to-Government (G2G) and Business-to-Business (B2B) connectivity, with a particular focus on expanding rail, road, and air networks across the region.
Highlighting the strategic need for Central Asian states to access warm waters, Abdul Aleem Khan said that facilitating trade through Pakistani ports in Gwadar and Karachi will be a key priority. He added that improved connectivity will help boost regional investment, trade, and strategic partnerships.
To ensure smooth coordination, the minister directed the formation of an Administrative Committee, and confirmed that Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister will lead the conference.
Development institutions such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and other international partners will also be invited, while domestic stakeholders including Pakistan Railways, FBR, Ministry of Maritime Affairs, and related departments will contribute to the planning and execution.
The minister also instructed that road safety be added to the summit agenda and proposed that the Ministries of Commerce, Tourism, and Maritime Affairs organize a side exhibition in Islamabad to highlight Pakistan’s potential as a regional transport and trade hub.
Senior officials from the Ministries of Communications, Foreign Affairs, and other departments attended the preparatory meeting and presented briefings on the logistical and thematic aspects of the event.
