In what could become a major project linking South and Central Asia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan have signed a deal for a landmark rail line project, costing $4.8 billion, connecting all three nations, The News reported. 

The signing ceremony was held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where senior officials of all three countries were present. The proposed 574 km rail line would connect the capitals of Uzbekistan and Afghanistan to the northern city of Peshwar in Pakistan. 

For years, due to the conflict in Afghanistan, and perennial geopolitical rivalry among the regional countries, this part of the world remained one of the most disconnected regions. The lack of connectivity also hampered the regional trade potential among the countries. 

Through these projects, Pakistan plans to provide access to its seaports in the Indian Ocean to Central Asian countries. 

In the last two decades, Afghanistan has completed projects of regional connectivity, including a rail line linking it to Iran. Last month, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan inaugurated three major projects related to energy, optical fiber line, and a rail line.