Islamabad, June 13, 2025: Pakistan is set to launch its cargo train service to Russia from Lahore on June 22, a landmark move to enhance regional trade and rail connectivity, announced Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi.
Speaking at a press briefing in Multan, Abbasi said the initiative aligns with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s objective of integrating Pakistan’s rail network with Central Asia, including Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. “This isn’t just a train—it’s the foundation of a new economic pathway,” he noted.
The service will operate via the Eastern route of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), offering one of the swiftest transit options between Pakistan and southern Russia through Iran, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan.
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The train will travel over 2,000 kilometers within Pakistan to the Taftan crossing, then switch trains in Zahedan, Iran, due to track variation. From there, it will continue through Central Asia to Astrakhan, Russia—covering around 8,000 kilometers in roughly 20–25 days.
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Initial operations will transport 15–16 TEUs (twenty-foot containers), carrying around 500 tons of export goods. Once freight rates are confirmed, the load will increase to 31 containers. Trade in textiles, leather goods, and medical equipment is expected to grow, alongside imports like grain and fuel.
