پروژه‌های بزرگ اقتصادی میان افغانستان و پاکستان زیر سایه تیرگی روابط سیاسی

Tensions between Kabul and Islamabad have raised concerns about the future of key joint economic projects between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Projects such as CASA-1000, TAPI, TAP, and Afghan Trans are among the major initiatives that play a vital role in regional economic connectivity and energy supply.

Economic analysts warn that if political tensions between Kabul and Islamabad persist, the progress and implementation of these projects could face serious challenges.

Mohammad Asif Stanekzai, an economic affairs expert, stated: “Pakistan exports goods to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan via Afghanistan. In addition, there are joint projects which, if tensions continue, will harm both sides. Major projects like TAPI and CASA-1000 could face obstacles.”

Meanwhile, Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) reports that the CASA-1000 energy transmission project is 75% complete within Afghan territory.

According to a spokesperson for the company, the project is advancing rapidly in the northern, northeastern, and eastern parts of the country. CASA-1000 is considered a key regional initiative to transmit electricity from Central Asia through Afghanistan to Pakistan.

Mohammad Sadiq Haqparast, the spokesperson for DABS, stated: “This project will transfer 1,000 megawatts of electricity through Afghanistan to Pakistan and will facilitate energy transfer from Central Asia to South Asia. Afghanistan is expected to earn nearly $60 million annually from this project.”

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Economy stresses that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan remains committed to expanding trade and transit with regional countries and urges neighboring nations to separate politics from economic cooperation.

Abdul Latif Nazari, Deputy Minister for Technical Affairs at the Ministry of Economy, stated: “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is committed to enhancing trade and transit with neighboring and regional countries. We call on neighboring states to separate political relations from economic ones. Large-scale regional projects like TAPI and CASA-1000 can contribute significantly to economic growth in Afghanistan and across the region.”

Economic experts also emphasize that any suspension or delay in regional project implementation could negatively impact the economic growth of both Afghanistan and Pakistan.

They argue that sustained cooperation on these projects would benefit not only the two nations but the entire region.