Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Inaugurates Fifth Section of Hairatan-Mazar-i-Sharif Railway

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, economic deputy to the prime minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, inaugurated the reopening of the fifth section of the Hairatan-Mazar-i-Sharif railway in Balkh province.

The section measures 70 kilometers in length and includes five stations along with 30 kilometers of branch lines. It has the capacity to handle 50 wagons at a time. The development is expected to increase trade volumes and reinforce economic links with Uzbekistan.

Baradar also met with the head of Uzbekistan's railway administration to discuss construction of a new 1.5-kilometer railway line and warehouses at Nayebabad station. The measures are intended to raise capacity at Hairatan port and ease the movement of goods.

He praised the Ministry of Public Works for its role in the project and thanked Uzbekistan for its cooperation. A joint committee led by the governor of Balkh province was established to advance further economic cooperation between the two sides.

An Uzbek delegation separately visited Kabul and northern provinces to explore expanded trade, textile partnerships, and increased cotton cultivation as an alternative to poppy growing.