Cargo Train Between Pakistan, Iran & Turkey Started Its Operation Again After Being Suspended For More Than a Decade

Operations resumed after 10 years, with the first Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul (ITI) train carrying goods from Pakistan to Turkey in the capital Ankara on Wednesday.

The ITI cargo train started its journey from Islamabad on December 21, 2021 and reached Ankara in almost 13 days. Turkish Infrastructure & Transport Minister Adil Karaismailoglu, Makhdoom Zain Qureshi a member of Pakistans National Assembly & also a son of Pakistan’s current foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi along with the Iranian Ambassador to Turkey Mohammad Farazmond were present at the event held in Ankara to acknowledge the arrival of the train.

Departing from Islamabad’s Margalla station, the train began its 5,981-kilometer (3,666-mile) route, finished its journey in 12 days and 21 hours. The purpose of the cargo train is to promote trade between Pakistan, Iran and Turkey. The train has eight 20 feet (6 m) long loaded wagons each having a load bearing capacity of 22 tons.

The Turkish Minister Karaismailoğlu said in his speech that this project would open new doors and option for businessmen & industrialists on the Pak-Iran-Turkey route.

He also mentioned that this project will save a lot of time and cost in comparison with transportation through sea between Pakistan and Turkey which almost takes 35 days to complete a one side route.

Karaismailoğlu said that this new railway corridor in South Aisa will be provided to our exporters with the help of Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul train to access Pakistan and its neighboring countries India, China, Afghanistan and Iran which are one of the most densely populated areas of the world. Our country is the bridge between Asia and Europe It’s one step closer to its goal of becoming a base. ”

Speaking on the occasion, Qureshi said that ITI Rail would play a key role in promoting regional connectivity and promoting economic and commercial activities in the Eco (Economic Cooperation Organization) region. Iran, Pakistan and Turkey established this Regional Cooperation for Development Organization in 1964, renaming it ECO in 1985.

Qureshi said the train would enable Pakistan to further increase its exports and strengthen connectivity with international markets, including Europe.

Government of Pakistan believes in regional integration and we believe that economical credibility is important to play a role at the national level. To do this, we not only need peace in our region but also increase the business between the neighboring countries and this ITI project can play a role in that.

Qureshi in an interview with the Anadolu Agency (AA) said that with ITI railway project we will gain access to European markets and Turkey gets to hit the Asian states, so it is a mutually beneficial establishment.

Ambassador Farazmond in his speech pointed out that the ITI railway project was first launched under the ECO in 2009 but was suspended due to technical issues and reopened a decade later.

He also stressed on that in the near future all the three countries should plan to launch passenger train on the same route.

The first train from Islamabad to Istanbul was launched on 14 August 2009. Since then eight trains have been sent from Pakistan to Turkey. The country also sent six trains to Pakistan, but was suspended in 2009 due to floods in South Asia.