Former SAARC Chambers of Commerce and Industry president Iftikhar Ali Malik said on Sunday Pakistan and Afghanistan together form a natural bridge between Central Asia and the energy markets of South and East Asia due to their strategic geographic position.
In a statement issued here, he said Pakistan holds unique geopolitical, commercial, and strategic importance and can help transform the region from a conflict zone into a major trade and transit corridor. However, he stressed that achieving this vision requires political stability and responsible governance in Kabul. He noted that landlocked Afghanistan depends on reliable transit partnerships with neighbouring countries for long-term economic stability. Pakistan, he said, has consistently supported regional cooperation despite security challenges arising from terrorism and cross-border militancy.
Malik highlighted the vast natural resources of Central Asian states including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan, saying Pakistan and Afghanistan provide the shortest overland route linking these resources to global and regional markets.
He said projects such as oil and gas pipelines, road freight corridors, and railway networks could generate billions in transit revenue, create employment opportunities, strengthen infrastructure, and turn both countries into regional trade hubs. Ports including Gwadar and Karachi could serve as key gateways connecting Central Asia with the Arabian Sea.
He added that lasting peace and regional cooperation remain essential for unlocking these economic opportunities. According to Malik, sustainable trade and connectivity cannot succeed without eliminating terrorism, militant sanctuaries, and cross-border attacks.