By Muhammad Faisal
A major step forward is underway for Pakistan’s railway network. Pakistan Railways (PR) has started acquiring land for the Pakistan-Afghan Railway Transit Project after completing its feasibility study, aiming to boost trade and transit between the two countries.
Kharlachi Chosen Over Torkham for Shorter Route
Documents seen by this reporter show that PR recommends linking Pakistan to Afghanistan through Kharlachi instead of Torkham. This new route is 227 kilometers shorter to Karachi Port, costs less to build, has a gentler slope that can carry heavier loads, is easier to construct, and meets better technical and operational standards for an efficient railway.
Project Preparations Underway
Officials from the Ministry of Railways told this reporter that work on the project will begin soon once the land acquisition is finished.
“Documentation and financial approvals are already underway to ensure the project starts on time. Technical teams have completed initial surveys, and provincial authorities are being coordinated with to handle administrative and logistical challenges before construction begins,” said an official familiar with the plan.
Early Feasibility Studies and Challenges
The idea of linking freight transport between Pakistan and Afghanistan dates back to July 2010, when the two governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). A feasibility study was later done in 2015 for a rail link from Peshawar to Jalalabad through Torkham. However, only 63 kilometers of the study could be completed inside Afghanistan because its foreign affairs ministry did not issue a security clearance.
The current rail line from Peshawar to Torkham passes near Bacha Khan International Airport (BKIA). The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) built a boundary wall along this track for security reasons without getting approval from Pakistan Railways.
The Peshawar-Torkham section is also very steep, limiting trains to just 200 tonnes.
Regional Rail Connectivity Efforts
Regional rail connectivity became a key topic during a five-nation meeting in Tashkent in 2021. Participants stressed the need to connect Central Asia and South Asia through Afghanistan to increase trade and transit. They agreed that a route from Mazar-e-Sharif through Kabul to Peshawar should be studied in detail by technical teams from the three countries.
Following this, Pakistan and Uzbekistan agreed to study a new rail corridor from Kharlachi to Mazar-e-Sharif through Logar. A PC-II feasibility study for the 677-kilometer Kharlachi–Mazar-e-Sharif route has been approved at a cost of Rs1,401.4 million.
Integrated Transport Corridor Planned
According to the documents, the new rail link will connect Pakistan’s Main Line-2 (ML-2) through Kohat, Jand, Kundian, Kot Adu, and Karachi, creating a continuous transport corridor.
Pakistan currently uses Broad Gauge (1,676mm). Changing the gauge for the new route is not feasible because it would require replacing the entire system. However, the gauge for the Kharlachi–Mazar-e-Sharif section will be agreed upon by all three countries.
Author Profile
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Muhammad Faisal is a journalist based in Islamabad who covers business, railway, and commerce sectors of Pakistan.
His reporting focuses on infrastructure, economic policy, and how national developments impact everyday life.
