LAHORE: In a groundbreaking move to bolster international trade and regional connectivity, Pakistan is set to inaugurate its first freight train to Russia on June 22, departing from Lahore.
This landmark development marks Pakistan’s formal entry into the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a strategic multimodal network aimed at connecting South Asia to Russia and Europe through Central Asia and the Middle East. The freight train, which will also pass through Karachi and Zahidan, will traverse approximately 8,000 kilometres and reach Russia’s southern logistics hub, Astrakhan, within 20 to 25 days. The route has been designed via the Eastern branch of INSTC, which is not only the shortest but also the most time-efficient, offering transit times significantly faster than the Western and Trans-Caspian branches. It passes through Iran, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan before entering the Russian territory.
Babar Ali, spokesperson to Pakistan Railways, says the train will cover 2,001 kilometers within Pakistan before reaching the Taftan border crossing with Iran. At Zahidan, due to the rail gauge difference between Pakistan (broad gauge) and Iran (standard gauge), the cargo will be transshipped to a new train to continue the journey northwards. The route includes key border crossings such as Mirjaveh in Iran, Sarakhs at the Iran-Turkmenistan border, Bolashak-Aktau in Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, and finally Atyrau-Astrakhan into Russia.
The first phase of this historic initiative will carry 15 to 16 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) of cargo, mostly comprising leather apparel, electro-medical devices and textile products – Pakistan’s main exports to Russia. Exporters have already committed approximately 500 tons of cargo for the inaugural journey. Once operational hurdles are cleared and freight rates are finalized, the route is expected to expand to full capacity with up to 31 TEUs per trip. This development is seen not merely as a logistical achievement but as a diplomatic and economic milestone. The project comes at a time when Pakistan and Russia are actively seeking closer trade ties, despite global geopolitical shifts. The INSTC offers a reliable, overland alternative to traditional sea routes, significantly cutting costs and transit time.
Officials have also highlighted the long-term strategic vision driving this initiative. The federal minister for railways has said the freight service aligns with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s broader vision to integrate Pakistan’s transport network with Central Asia, including Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. “We are building not just a railway but a comprehensive economic corridor that will generate revenue, create jobs and reposition Pakistan as a gateway to Eurasia,” said the minister.
The route has been carefully selected for its existing transshipment infrastructure and compatibility of rail gauges across the Central Asian Republics and Russia. This allows uninterrupted freight movement once the cargo clears the Iranian segment, which still poses some operational challenges due to sanctions and regulatory hurdles. Despite this significant progress, bottlenecks remain. On top is the technical challenge posed by varying rail gauges, necessitating transshipment facilities at Zahidan. Additionally, ongoing international sanctions affecting Iran and Russia have complicated banking transactions for exporters. Regulatory issues involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and Pakistan’s Plant Protection Department are also being addressed to ensure compliance with Russian import protocols.
The pilot train is expected to offer vital insights into operational constraints, which will be used to fine-tune logistics for future commercial runs. Pakistani exporters are optimistic that this development will open up a new chapter in trade with Russia, allowing faster delivery of goods such as rice, surgical instruments and fabrics while also streamlining imports of fertilizers, wheat, petroleum products and industrial machinery.
A senior official involved in the project summed it up by saying: “This is more than just a train. It’s a declaration that Pakistan is ready to reimagine its role in regional trade and logistics.” The Lahore-Astrakhan freight train is not just a transport initiative; it’s a corridor of opportunity, ambition, and transformation – connecting not only cities and markets but futures. The eyes of exporters, investors and regional powers now turn to June 22, when the first whistle will blow and a new era of trade will begin, he said.
