Mujahid: Afghanistan Will Become Global Trade Hub Through Railway

Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, stated that Afghanistan will become a global trade hub through railway connections.

Mujahid, speaking at the inauguration of the survey and design work for the 737-kilometer railway line between Kandahar and Herat, said that the construction of this railway will facilitate exports and imports significantly.

According to him, the implementation of this project will reduce unemployment and promote trade.

The spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate said: “With the construction of the railway, our economy will be strengthened, our trade will grow, and the country will stand on its own feet. Once this project and other major projects are completed, I assure you that 40 million Afghan citizens will achieve self-sufficiency, and no one will dare to look at this country with ill intent.”

The survey and design of the 737-kilometer railway line between Kandahar and Herat will be carried out by three domestic companies over eight months, with an estimated cost of 264 million Afghanis.

Mohammad Ishaq Sahibzada, deputy minister of public works for railways, said: “The construction work of this project is divided into five sections, which include Torghundi-Herat, Herat-Shindand, Shindand-Farah, Farah-Lashkargah, Lashkargah-Kandahar, Kandahar-Spin Boldak, and Herat-Nimroz, connecting Afghanistan to Iran through Khaf.”

“The Ministry of Public Works will complete and operationalize this project within eight months at a cost of 264 million afghani, adhering to the specified standards of the ministry,” said Jalat Khan Ebrahimi, the project engineer.

Officials from the Kandahar Chamber of Commerce and Investment say that the construction of this railway line will create numerous investment and trade opportunities in Afghanistan.

Mohammad Sediq Mohmand, head of the Kandahar chamber of commerce and investment, said: “In the past, there was not much trust in the private sector, and most projects were awarded to foreign companies; however, fortunately, now these projects are being executed by domestic companies, which shows the Islamic Emirate’s support for the private sector.”
According to officials, after the completion of the survey and design of the Kandahar-Herat railway line, the construction of the project will begin in five sections, connecting Herat to Iran through the Khaf route.