Pakistan Launches Landmark Freight Train to Russia
Wire desk byline Sourced from Xinhua, Dawn, Arab News, Anadolu and Minute Mirror. Translated and abridged by the GSRRA Desk.
Pakistan is set to launch its first-ever freight train to Russia on June 22, marking a key milestone in expanding Pakistan’s regional trade and transport connectivity. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.
The train will depart from Lahore and travel over 2,000 kilometers to Iran’s Taftan border. It will then continue through the eastern branch of the North-South Transport Corridor, a growing trade link between South Asia and Eurasia.
After crossing into Iran, the cargo will be reloaded at Zahedan due to a gauge change. The train will then proceed to Turkmenistan via the Sarakhs border and continue across Kazakhstan before reaching Astrakhan in southern Russia.
Pakistan Expands Regional Rail Connectivity
Turkmenistan plays a crucial role in this corridor. Its rail network shares the same track gauge with Kazakhstan and Russia, allowing seamless cargo flow without the need for further transfers.
The full journey spans nearly 8,000 kilometers, and the estimated travel time ranges between 20 and 25 days. The inaugural freight shipment will consist of 15–16 TEUs, with potential growth up to 31 containers.
Pakistan Strengthens Trade Through Strategic Rail Links
Pakistan’s Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi said the launch aligns with Pakistan’s long-term plan to connect with Central Asia and diversify its trade options. He emphasized the need to integrate Pakistan’s railway with broader Eurasian networks.
This project signals Pakistan’s growing role in transcontinental logistics and positions the country as a vital link in future global freight corridors. Improved tariff agreements may boost the route’s commercial viability.
As demand for alternative trade paths increases, this route could transform the flow of goods between South Asia and Russia, strengthening Pakistan’s standing in the global logistics ecosystem.
Reference Link:- https://www.railway.supply/en/pakistan-launches-landmark-freight-train-to-russia/
Zamir Ahmed Awan is the founder and Chair of the Global Silk Route Research Alliance, a think tank in Islamabad. He studied engineering at Shanghai University in the 1980s, and years later he went back to China as Pakistan's science counsellor in Beijing, from 2010 until 2016, working on science and higher education cooperation between the two countries.…
