Pakistan intends to reinstate the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul goods train service this year.

Pakistan and Iran have concurred to reinstate the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul (ITI) goods train service this year, as reported by APP, in an effort to enhance regional connectivity and cross-border commerce.

The ITI encompasses more than 6,500 kilometres, including 2,570 kilometres in Iran, 2,000 kilometres in Turkiye, and around 1,900 kilometres in Pakistan.

The goods train service commenced in August 2009 as an initiative of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO), a 10-nation Asian trade bloc, but was halted in 2012 for security concerns.

The ITI train service was reinstated in December 2021 after almost ten years, with trains arriving in Turkiye in January 2022. It functioned until August of that year, when the ITI activity was once more halted due to administrative and operational complications.

On Thursday, Pakistan Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi convened with Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Dr. Reza Amiri Moghaddam in Islamabad, as reported by APP. The discussions centred on fortifying bilateral relations and augmenting political, economic, and commercial collaboration.

According to the APP, “During the meeting, both parties concurred to reinstate the Islamabad–Tehran–Istanbul (ITI) Train within this year, a crucial measure for enhancing regional connectivity and augmenting cross-border trade.”

Abbasi underscored the need of augmenting trade volumes between Pakistan and Iran, as well as improving mutual imports and exports. The minister emphasised that trade will substantially enhance railway earnings and bolster Pakistan’s national economy.