Pakistan will begin its first freight train service to Russia from Lahore on June 22. The route is part of the INSTC and aims to connect Pakistan's rail network with Central Asia, establishing a new trade corridor via Iran, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan.
Speaking at a press conference in Multan, Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi said the new freight service is part of an initiative to modernise Pakistan Railways and increase revenue through expanded logistics. He stated the project aligns with the government's goal to connect Pakistan's rail network with Central Asian countries, including Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
"We are building not just a railway, but an economic corridor," Abbasi said in his statement.
The freight route uses the Eastern Branch of the INSTC. The estimated transit time for the 8,000-kilometre journey from Lahore to Russia is 20-25 days, which includes time for transhipments.
A Pakistan Railways official provided details on the route. The train will depart from Lahore, travel 2,001 kilometres through Pakistan to the Taftan border crossing, and enter Iran. At Zahedan, Iran, cargo will be transferred to another train due to a rail gauge change. The journey will then proceed to the Sarakhs border with Turkmenistan. From there, the train will cross Turkmenistan and enter Kazakhstan through the Bolashak-Aktau corridor, continuing through Atyrau in western Kazakhstan before arriving at its destination of Astrakhan, Russia.
The railway gauges are compatible across Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Russia.
The first train is expected to carry 15-16 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), with about 500 tons of cargo confirmed by exporters. Plans exist to expand to a full load of 31 TEUs, pending the finalisation of freight rates.
The rail link is expected to impact bilateral trade. Pakistan's main exports to Russia include leather apparel, textiles, and electro-medical devices. Key imports from Russia include wheat, fertilisers, dried vegetables, and petroleum products.
U.S. President Donald Trump has denied reports that he offered Iran sanctions relief and access to frozen funds in exchange for nuclear concessions...
Kazakhstan and Germany have agreed to expand cooperation in critical minerals, industry, energy and transport, with Astana seeking a greater German...
Global cholera deaths reached their highest annual level in more than 20 years in 2025, despite a decline in reported cases, according to the World...
A Russian guided aerial bomb has struck an apartment building in Kharkiv, injuring 22 people, including children, according to the city’s mayor. The strike follows a day of near-continuous Russian attacks across Ukraine that killed at least five people.
Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 28 September 2026. These are the top stories making headlines in technology.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has arrived in Washington for talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on bilateral ties and key regional and international developments, Saudi state news agency SPA reported.
The European Union's decision to simultaneously advance accession talks with Ukraine, Moldova, Montenegro and Albania marks its most ambitious enlargement effort in more than two decades.
U.S. President Donald Trump has denied reports that he offered Iran sanctions relief and access to frozen funds in exchange for nuclear concessions.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has declared that Brexit has done more harm than good, while reaffirming support for Ukraine and NATO as he used his first Labour conference speech as leader to set out a new direction for Britain.
The arrival in South Korea of two North Korean soldiers captured while fighting for Russia has created a rare legal, diplomatic and humanitarian case, raising questions over their status, security and future.
At midnight on 30 September, the last U.S. troops are due to leave Iraq, ending a military presence that began with the 2003 invasion and cost the lives of around 4,500 American service members.
Here’s your AnewZ Daily Brief for 29 September 2026, with the latest from Azerbaijan, from $10.8 billion in investment deals and Formula 1 drama to diplomacy and preparations for major FIFA tournaments.
Crude oil exports from major Middle Eastern producers rebounded in September to their highest level since the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran began in late February, according to data from analytics firm Kpler.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?