Key points
- Inaugural Pakistan-Russia freight train was set to begin on June 22
- Project, spanning 8,000 km via the INSTC, aims to boost trade with Russia and Central Asia
- Despite setbacks, Pakistan remains committed to regional rail integration
ISLAMABAD: The launch of the highly anticipated direct freight train service between Pakistan and Russia, initially scheduled for June 22, is expected to be temporarily delayed amid escalating tensions linked to the Iran-Israel conflict.
The closure of the Pakistan-Iran border, a critical segment of the route, has forced authorities to put the project on hold until regional conditions stabilise, a railway official confirmed to WE News English.
The highly anticipated railway service is meant to connect Lahore to Astrakhan in southern Russia.
Transcontinental project
This transcontinental project had gained momentum after the 2024 signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Pakistan’s Ambassador Muhammad Khalid Jamali and Russia’s Deputy Minister of Transport Dmitry S Zverev during the 27th St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). The agreement aimed to foster deep-rooted cooperation in railway development and trade logistics between the two nations.
The planned cargo train would have traversed Iran, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan, before reaching Russia, carrying initial loads in 16 freight wagons, with expansion plans in the pipeline. Officials described the corridor as a strategic opportunity to unlock new markets and connect landlocked Central Asia to maritime trade via Pakistan.
However, border closures have placed the project on an indefinite hold, throwing a wrench into what was expected to be a milestone for Eurasian rail commerce.
“Backbone of economy”
Despite the setback, Pakistan remains committed to bolstering its rail-based trade infrastructure. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently underscored this during a high-level meeting on railway modernisation, calling railways “the backbone of any country’s economy” and essential for regional trade growth.
New railway link
Meanwhile, in a sign of continuing progress, Pakistan also unveiled plans for a new railway link to Uzbekistan via Afghanistan, offering both cargo and passenger services and providing Central Asia direct access to the Arabian Sea.
Earlier, Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi announced that Pakistan is set to launch its first freight train service to Russia from Lahore on June 22, marking a historic step in cross-border logistics and international trade. The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s broader vision to connect Pakistan’s rail network with Central Asian nations like Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, turning tracks into trade corridors, he had said.
“This isn’t just about railways—it’s the foundation of an economic corridor,” Abbasi said during a press briefing in Multan.
Lahore to Astrakhan
The train will travel over 8,000 kilometres, leveraging the Eastern Branch of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), known for its speed and infrastructure efficiency. Departing from Lahore, the train will reach Taftan, cross into Iran, and continue via Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan to Astrakhan, Russia’s strategic southern logistics hub.
Due to differing rail gauges, cargo will be transhipped at Zahedan in Iran, but from Turkmenistan onward, unified gauges ensure seamless transit through to Russia. The inaugural run will carry 500 tons of export goods—including textiles, leather, and medical devices—packed into 15–16 TEUs, with plans to scale up to 31 TEUs soon.
The move is expected to cut transit time to 20–25 days and boost two-way trade, especially in wheat, fertiliser, and energy products, paving the way for a new era of efficient, land-based trade between Pakistan and Russia.
