Pakistan-Russia freight train is likely to commence from next month

Pakistan will connect with Russia through a freight train service, which is expected to commence from Lahore to Moscow in August 2025, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Tuesday.

Diplomatic sources confirmed that the Russian Consul-General will attend the inaugural ceremony along with other stakeholders.

The freight train will start its journey from Lahore and will reach Astrakhan Russia via Taftan, Iran, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan.

The train service is part of the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC). 

The diplomatic sources further revealed that initially, textile goods, cotton, rice, electronic and medical devices, food items, and other goods will be dispatched to Moscow.

The diplomatic sources further revealed that freight train service will be cheaper as compared to the routine sea routes.

The opening ceremony of this project was delayed due to the Israel-Iran conflict. The freight train will cover a journey of 8,000 kilometers in twenty to twenty-five days.

The freight train will connect Central Asia with West Asia directly. Pakistan also started a transit train project with Uzbekistan, Afghanistan to connect with the Central Asian States.

Pakistan will also connect with Russia after the completion of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan and Pakistan (UAP) project.

The diplomatic sources said that UAP is not part of the INSTC project.

Reporter: Anwer Abbas