The first cargo train between Istanbul and Islamabad via Tehran (ITI) reached Ankara via Lahore, Taftan and Zahedan, completing its journey in 13 days.
After many failed attempts to resume this rail freight service connecting Pakistan, Iran and Turkey, the ITI railway train finally departed in western direction on Tuesday 21 December from Islamabad carrying mainly pink salt and reached Ankara (Turkey) on Monday evening. A second train was dispatched on 29 December which is currently transiting via Iran, carrying 24 covered wagons from Pakistan with 524 tons of Talc powder.
Moreover, Pakistan Railways has earned Rs 800,000 and Rs 2.2 million from the first and second trains, respectively. Third train would also depart soon for Turkey.
A freight train service was initiated after a pause of around a decade in the federal capital with a goal to increase trade between Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey.
Read more: Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul freight train service can transport 80,000 tonnes of goods
The cargo train service will prove to be vibrant in enlightening the economies and lives of the people of ECO member states by exploiting financial competence and dropping the cost of doing business.
Besides, Razak Dawood during departure of the first train voiced regional connectivity was one of the very significant pillars of Pakistan’s strategic trade policy framework and it was encouraging to see the recommencement of procedures of ITI freight train.
Foreign Minister Qureshi esteemed the recommencement of the ITI freight train and said the facility would play an imperative role in regional connectivity and supporting economic activity in the region.
Furthermore, Turkish Ambassador Mustafa Yurdakul showed the confidence that the train service would not stop at Istanbul merely however go all the way to Europe which would help all regional nations as the economies rebounded in the post-Covid era.
Pakistan Railways said the first train from Islamabad to Istanbul was initiated on August 14, 2009. In the same way, the first train from Istanbul arrived at the Islamabad dry port on August 13, 2010.
