ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran have agreed to resume the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul (ITI) freight train service this year, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said, in their bid to boost regional connectivity and cross-border trade.
The ITI covers over 6,500 kilometers, spanning 2,570 kilometers in Iran, 2,000 kilometers in Turkiye and about 1,900 kilometers in Pakistan. The freight train service was launched in August 2009 as a project under the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), a 10-nation Asian trade bloc but was suspended in 2012 due to security reasons.
ITI train service was revived in December 2021 after nearly a decade, with trains reaching Turkiye in January 2022. It operated until August that year before the ITI operation was suspended again due to administrative and operational issues.
Pakistan Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi met Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Dr. Reza Amiri Moghaddam in Islamabad on Thursday, the APP reported, with talks focusing on strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing political, economic, and trade cooperation.
“During the meeting, both parties agreed to resume the Islamabad–Tehran–Istanbul (ITI) Train within this year, a key step toward revitalizing regional connectivity and boosting cross-border trade,” the APP said.
It said Abbasi emphasized the importance of increasing Pakistan–Iran trade volumes and enhancing mutual imports and exports. The minister noted that trade will significantly contribute to railway revenue and support Pakistan’s national economy.
“In line with the prime minister’s vision, strengthening regional connectivity and linking the region through rail networks remains our top priority,” Abbasi was quoted as saying.
APP said the Iranian envoy invited Abbasi to visit Iran, which he accepted. The Pakistani minister said he would inspect the Iranian railway system to explore avenues for modern, efficient, and expanded rail connectivity across the region.
Pakistan’s government has been struggling to reform its loss-making railway sector, which relies heavily on frequent government bailouts. While the railways, with its aging tracks and bridges, has not been fully privatized, the government has outsourced parts of its operations to private entities.
Last month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a key meeting to review reforms undertaken by the railways sector. Sharif directed authorities to hire globally renowned financial and economic experts to advise the government on international railway projects concerning Pakistan and to improve regional rail connectivity.
