Azam Khan Swati, the Federal Minister for Railways, inaugurated the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul freight train to boost trade between the three countries.
After a ten-year hiatus, cargo train service between the three countries has been restored which has the potential to carry a maximum of 80,000 tonnes of goods..
The launch of the train is termed as a game changer for in the region by the railway minister who was also accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Advisor to the Prime Minister for Commerce and Investment Abdul Razaak Dawood.
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“The Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul freight railway will be a game-changer in the area,” he added, adding that it would enhance trade between the three countries.
Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul freight train will make Pakistan Railways profitable
Pakistan Railways is also aiming to establish a passenger train between these countries in the near future, according to the minister. “We’ve opened up our trade lines, which is a great chance for both importers and exporters.”
He stated that at the moment, two freight forwarders, Maxtel Logistics and Haroon Brothers, will be in operation.
Meanwhile, during the inauguration, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood remarked that regional connection is one of the most essential pillars of the Ministry of Commerce’s new and unique Strategic Trade Policy Framework (STPF).
Exporters should take advantage of this alternate route and form of transportation, according to the Commerce advisor, and keep in touch with the Ministry of Commerce for assistance.
The trial run of the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul (ITI) train began in August 2009 as a project of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), a 10-nation Asian trade bloc.
About eight trains were put into service after the project was launched, however the service was shut down in 2012 due to security concerns.
