ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN — Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan urged member states to expand direct flights, trade corridors, and land connectivity during the 12-nation New Silk Way Forum held in Almaty. He emphasized that regional cooperation is essential for boosting trade and unlocking economic growth across Central and South Asia.
Speaking at the high-level Roundtable Conference of Transport Ministers, Aleem Khan stressed the need to facilitate travel for business communities and citizens. He said that enabling free movement would help nations explore investment opportunities and benefit mutually. The New Silk Way Forum, he added, offers a strategic platform to align regional transport goals.
Aleem Khan announced that Pakistan will host the Regional Transport Ministers’ Conference in Islamabad on October 23–24. He invited all member states to participate, stating that expanding land connectivity is inevitable for increasing trade volumes. Pakistan, he affirmed, stands ready to play a positive and proactive role in advancing regional transport links.
Referring to recent visits by Kazakhstan’s Vice President and Ministers to Pakistan, Aleem Khan described those engagements as highly productive. He noted that forums like the New Silk Way Forum allow countries to learn from one another’s experiences and build stronger partnerships.
On the sidelines of the Forum, Aleem Khan met with Türkiye’s Minister of Transport, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu. The two discussed cooperation in transport and road infrastructure. Aleem Khan invited his Turkish counterpart to attend the upcoming Islamabad conference and encouraged Turkish companies to invest in Pakistan. He highlighted joint ventures as a way to deliver mutual benefits.
Minister Uraloğlu expressed a strong interest in expanding partnerships and reiterated Türkiye’s goodwill toward Pakistan. Both leaders agreed to strengthen collaboration on CPEC and regional corridor projects. Aleem Khan concluded that enhanced cooperation between Pakistan and Türkiye can open new avenues for trade, connectivity, and regional development.
