Pajhwok 05/26/2006By Zainab Muhammadi [Printer Friendly Version]
KABUL - Afghanistan is likely to sign an agreement with Iran to extend the 124-kilometre railway track from Iran to Afghanistan's Herat City, officials said on Wednesday.The pact is expected to be inked during President Hamid Karzai's two-day visit to the neighbouring country, which is scheduled for Friday. Deputy Minister for Public Works Dr Wali Muhammad Rasuli told Pajhwok Afghan News signing of the pact would clamp the success of Karzai's trip to Iran. The track would be jointly constructed by the two countries, he said, adding 70 kilometres part of the track would be constructed by Iran. If implemented, the proposed railway track would help improve transportation of goods between the two countries and the rest of the region. "This will be the cheapest transit route when completed," Rasuli claimed. Although the government had not allocated budget for laying the railway line on this side, the president would ask Iran to complete part of the track on that side of the border, he explained. He added the same route would be later extended to Kandahar and Spin Boldak, bordering Pakistan.