10 September 2025 – Islamabad, Pakistan
On the sidelines of his visit to Islamabad to attend the Islamabad–Tehran–Istanbul (ITI) Rail and Road Corridor meetings, the ECO Secretary General Dr. Asad M. Khan held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, Federal Minister for Railways of Pakistan.
The Secretary General thanked the Government of Pakistan and the Ministry of Railways for the excellent arrangements made for the meetings, noting that Pakistan’s active role is vital for the success of regional connectivity initiatives.
During the discussions, both sides underlined the strategic importance of the ITI Rail Corridor for the ECO region, emphasizing its role in enhancing trade, transport, and economic integration among member states and beyond.
The meeting also reviewed the challenges impeding the full operationalization of the corridor, including infrastructure gaps, regulatory issues, and harmonization needs. The two sides exchanged views on possible solutions to enable the full upgrade of the ITI Corridor and ensure its seamless and sustainable operation.
The ECO Secretary General further requested Pakistan’s close cooperation in advancing the implementation of the Tehran Declaration, adopted at the 13th Meeting of the ECO Ministers of Transport. He stressed that this framework provides clear direction for enhancing rail and road connectivity across the region.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to working together towards transforming the ITI Rail Corridor into a viable and competitive transport route, contributing to the realization of ECO’s vision of strengthened regional and inter-regional connectivity.
