Taliban discussed launching passenger trains with Iran at ECO meeting

Taliban officials discussed railway projects and the launch of passenger train services between Afghanistan and Iran during the 14th regional meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO). The Taliban-controlled Bakhtar News Agency reported on Saturday, October 25, that Abdul Karim Fateh, head of the Taliban’s railway authority, participated in the meeting held in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. According to the report, discussions focused on major projects like the Afghan-Trans railway and the Balkh-Herat-Qandahar route, as well as increasing rail transport and digitalizing the transit process.

Attracting investment for railway expansion in the region was another key topic. On the sidelines of the meeting, Mr. Fateh held talks with representatives from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and Iran regarding the implementation of joint railway projects.

The issue of starting passenger train services between Afghanistan and Iran was a significant point of discussion in these meetings.