Lahore: Pakistan Railways has postponed the launch of its first ever freight train to Russia, for an indefinite period. This train was scheduled to depart from Lahore on June 22.
The train was postponed due to closure of Pakistan-Iran border, due to Iran-Israel conflict. Other overland routes through Iran, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan are also being disrupted.
The train was a major step in regional trade. It was to transport 16 containers to Astrakhan, Russia. It was part of a broader plan to connect Pakistan's logistics network with Central Asia and boost exports.
The planned freight train was set to depart from Lahore, and cover 2,001 kilometers within Pakistan before reaching the Taftan border crossing with Iran. Since, the rail line gauge difference, cargo was to be transferred to another train at Zahedan in southeastern Iran.
From there, the journey would continue through Sarakhs at the Iran–Turkmenistan border, then into Kazakhstan via the Bolashak–Aktau corridor. The train had to pass through Atyrau in western Kazakhstan before arriving in Astrakhan, a major logistics hub in southern Russia. Lahore to Russia full route is 8,000 kilometers, with a projected transit time of 20 to 25 days, which may face delays due to long journey.
Rail gauges across Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Russia are compatible, which allows uninterrupted movement beyond the Iranian section.
In the initial phase, the train was to carry 15 to 16 TEUs—equivalent to about 500 tons of cargo. Pakistan’s main exports to Russia include leather goods, electro-medical equipment, and textiles, while it exports wheat, fertilizers, dried vegetables, and petroleum products from Russia. The direct rail link is expected to significantly reduce shipping time and deepen bilateral trade between the two countries.
Pakistan Railway officials said the service will only resume once security conditions along the route improve.
By Atif Khan
Atif Khan is an Islamabad based Journalist.
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