Pakistan Enhances Transport Cooperation: Abdul Aleem Khan Holds Sideline Meetings with Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan held a series of high-level meetings with transport ministers and senior officials from Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, and the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) to enhance cooperation in logistics, transport infrastructure, and regional connectivity. The discussions took place during the Regional Transport Ministers Conference held in Islamabad.

In his meeting with Türkiye’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, Abdul Aleem Khan emphasized Pakistan’s desire to develop a logistics partnership with Türkiye through the National Logistics Cell (NLC). He said Pakistan offered vast opportunities for collaboration in logistics and infrastructure and called for stronger linkages between the business communities of both nations.

Minister Uraloğlu reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Pakistan and its economic partners. It was decided that the Chairman of the National Highway Authority (NHA) would serve as the focal person for Pakistan–Türkiye communication cooperation. Lauding Türkiye’s remarkable progress under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Abdul Aleem Khan remarked, “There is a Pakistani in every street of Türkiye; consider me your ambassador in Pakistan.”

In a separate meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Transport and Logistics Dr. Rumaih Al-Rumaih, Abdul Aleem Khan described Pakistan and Saudi Arabia as “two nations with one soul,” highlighting their historic and brotherly relations. Dr. Al-Rumaih commended the successful organization of the Regional Transport Ministers Conference and invited Abdul Aleem Khan to visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

During talks with Sri Lanka’s Minister of Transport Bimal Niroshan Rathnayake Weerakon, both sides agreed to enhance joint business opportunities and connect relevant stakeholders. The Sri Lankan minister shared that Expressions of Interest (EOIs) had been invited for the construction of two new ports and three logistics centers in Sri Lanka and expressed interest in learning from Pakistan’s experience. He also proposed cooperation in modernizing Sri Lanka’s bus fleet and promoting Buddhist cultural heritage.

The Federal Minister assured full support, stating that Pakistan’s NLC and Frontier Works Organization (FWO) would actively contribute to consultancy and collaboration in Sri Lanka’s infrastructure development projects.

ECO Secretary General and former Ambassador Asad Majeed also met with Abdul Aleem Khan. Both sides agreed to strengthen institutional coordination and reinforce the Istanbul–Tehran–Islamabad corridor. The minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to promoting sustainable regional connectivity, logistics cooperation, and economic partnerships with all friendly countries.

The series of meetings concluded with a shared understanding that the Regional Transport Ministers Conference had laid a strong foundation for deepening regional cooperation in the transport and logistics sectors.