Pakistan is preparing to launch its first-ever freight train service to Russia, a landmark initiative that would connect South Asia to Eurasia by rail. The project uses the Eastern Branch of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and passes through four countries.
A contract between Pakistan Railways and Russian Railways (RZD) was signed in May 2025, formalizing years of bilateral discussions. Yet geopolitical disruptions have delayed the pilot run, and negotiations for a new launch date continue as of early 2026.
What Is the Pakistan–Russia Freight Train?
This landmark move officially integrates Pakistan into the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) — a strategic, multimodal trade network linking South Asia to Russia and Europe through Central Asia and the Middle East.
The INSTC Eastern Branch
The route has been designed via the Eastern branch of INSTC, which is not only the shortest but also the most time-efficient, offering transit times significantly faster than the Western and Trans-Caspian branches.
The new freight service is part of a broader initiative to modernize Pakistan Railways and boost revenue through expanded logistics operations.
Route and Distance
The freight train follows a multi-country corridor:
- Pakistan: The freight train will depart from Lahore and cover a 2,001-kilometer route within Pakistan to reach the Taftan border crossing with Iran.
- Iran: Cargo will be transferred to another train at Zahedan in southeastern Iran due to a change in rail gauge.
- Turkmenistan & Kazakhstan: The journey will then continue through Sarakhs at the Iran-Turkmenistan border, enter Kazakhstan via the Bolashak-Aktau corridor, and proceed through Atyrau in western Kazakhstan before reaching its final destination in Astrakhan, a key logistics hub in southern Russia.
The entire route spans approximately 8,000 kilometers, with an expected transit time of 20-25 days, including buffer periods. An alternate Karachi-to-Moscow route spans over 7,000 kilometres.
Railway gauges are compatible across Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Russia, facilitating seamless movement once cargo clears the Iranian segment.
Read more: Pakistan’s first freight train to depart from Lahore to Russia on 22nd June
Cargo and Cost Details
The first phase will carry 15-16 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), with exporters confirming about 500 tons of cargo. Plans are underway to expand to a full load of 31 TEUs, pending the finalization of freight rates.
The pilot freight train would carry 16 containers of rice in its inaugural shipment.1 The estimated cost stands at approximately USD 5,600 per container.
In comparison, sea transport takes 35–45 days, making the rail option not only faster but also more cost-effective.
Timeline: From MoU to Delays
June 2024 — MoU Signed
Pakistan and Russia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on rail cooperation during the 27th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in June 2024.
February–March 2025 — Trial Announced
Pakistan Railways Freight CEO Sufiyan Sarfaraz Dogar announced that the service is expected to commence operations by March 15, 2025. That date slipped. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk then said the launch would happen in April 2025.
May 2025 — Formal Contract
Pakistan Railways and Russian Railways (RZD) signed a contract in May 2025 to lay the foundation for this landmark corridor.
June 2025 — Launch Cancelled
Pakistan Railways confirmed that the departure of the first-ever freight train to Russia has been cancelled due to regional instability caused by the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict. The train, initially scheduled to leave Lahore on June 22, will now be postponed indefinitely due to border closures between Pakistan, Iran, and other affected transit countries.
Current Status
The rice containers were prepared for dispatch in June, but departure was delayed due to the regional situation. Talks are now ongoing to set a new date for the train’s departure.
As of November 2025, the parties agreed to continue work on the test launch of a freight train along the North-South International Transport Corridor.
Trade Impact
Pakistan’s major exports to Russia include leather apparel, electro-medical devices, and textiles, while key imports include wheat, fertilizers, dried vegetables, and petroleum products.
Trade turnover between the two nations stands at approximately $1 billion. The rail corridor aims to significantly expand that figure by cutting transit time by nearly half compared to sea routes.
Pakistani exporters will gain improved access to Iran, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Russian markets for textile, food and agricultural products including rice, wheat and cotton.
Key Challenges
Several hurdles remain before regular service can begin:
- Gauge incompatibility: Pakistan uses broad gauge while Iran uses standard gauge, requiring transshipment at Zahedan.
- Geopolitical risks: The closure of international borders caused by the Iran-Israel conflict has made the journey impossible at this time.
- Sanctions: Ongoing international sanctions affecting Iran and Russia have complicated banking transactions for exporters.
- Regulatory compliance: Issues involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Pakistan’s Plant Protection Department are being addressed to ensure compliance with Russian import protocols.
What Comes Next
Both governments remain committed to the project. The project reflects Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision to connect Pakistan’s rail network with Central Asian countries, including Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, as part of broader regional integration efforts.
The pilot train, once launched, will provide critical operational data for scaling the corridor to full commercial use. For Pakistani exporters seeking faster, cheaper access to Eurasian markets, this rail link represents a transformative shift — once regional conditions allow it to move forward.