Pakistan Railways is preparing to launch a new freight train service connecting Lahore to Russia, with the first train expected to depart in July, officials confirmed on Sunday.
The inaugural train, comprising 16 coaches, will head from Lahore to the Russian city of Astrakhan, traveling through Iran, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan. On its return, it will carry goods from Russia, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan back to Pakistan.
Originally, the train was scheduled to leave on June 22, but the departure was postponed due to the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict which is now ended.
According to Pakistan Railways Public Relations Officer Babar Raza, the initiative is aimed at enhancing trade ties between South Asia and Central Asia. He highlighted the project’s potential to strengthen regional economic connectivity.
Pakistan’s history of cross-border rail links has primarily involved neighboring countries like India and Iran. Iconic passenger services such as the Samjhauta Express and Thar Express connected Pakistan with India but have remained suspended since 2019 due to diplomatic tensions.
In recent years, Pakistan has shifted focus toward strengthening trade routes with Iran, Turkey, Central Asia, and now Russia. Freight initiatives like the Istanbul–Tehran–Islamabad (ITI) train and the upcoming Lahore–Russia service reflect a growing emphasis on regional trade integration and economic cooperation.
