Pakistan Railways plans to start an international freight train service to Russia by March 15, 2025, aiming to strengthen trade ties with Russia, Iran, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan. Freight CEO Sufiyan Sarfaraz Dogar announced the initiative, calling on businesses—particularly members of the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA)—to commit to containerized cargo shipments. He emphasized the service’s potential to boost regional trade among Pakistan, Russia, and transit countries.

The freight trains will depart from the Qasim International Container Terminal and Pakistan International Container Terminal, offering 22-ton and 44-ton container capacities. Taftan station will serve as Pakistan’s main entry point along the international trade corridor, with customs deployment issues at the border nearing resolution. This new rail link will enable Russia to export commodities like oil, gas, steel, and industrial goods directly to Pakistan. In turn, Pakistani exporters will gain improved access to Central Asian and Russian markets for products such as textiles, rice, wheat, and cotton.

The project stems from a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Pakistan and Russia during the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum in June 2024. The agreement aims to create a more efficient, cost-effective trade corridor connecting South and Central Asia with Russia.

APTMA Chairman Kamran Arshad highlighted Pakistan’s growing textile sector, which is targeting $50 billion in exports over the next five years. He suggested automating cargo handling, setting up dry ports along the route, and exploring a barter trade system with Russia—similar to Pakistan’s arrangement with Iran—to reduce costs and improve logistics.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.