Islamabad-Istanbul container train service: Gilani launches trial phase of project

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Islamabad-Istanbul container train service: Gilani launches trial phase of project

ISLAMABAD, Aug 14: The Islamabad-Istanbul container train service would lead to integration of Pakistan’s railway tracks into the region’s network and opening up of a trade corridor between Europe on the one hand and South and Central Asia on the other, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said at the launch of project’s trial phase here on Friday.

The first train would cover 6,500 kilometres via Tehran in two weeks, carrying 20 containers — 14 for Iran and six for Turkey.

Mr Gilani recalled that the transit trade framework agreement signed on March 15 this year in Islamabad by ECO member states called for improving transit traffic to foster efficient movement of goods and passengers.

He said that under the project Pakistan Railways would be rehabilitating the main railway line, including the Quetta-Taftan section, adding that a feasibility study had already been completed.

“Upgradation would require … $500 million for the train to run at a speed of 140km per hour for optimum operational efficiency,” he said, adding that rehabilitation of the network in Pakistan required international financial support.

Minister for Railways Ghulam Ahmed Bilour said that government officials and chambers of commerce needed to cooperate in order to create an enabling environment for increasing regional trade.

He said that once the trial phase of the container service ended successfully, a passenger service would be launched in an effort to boost tourism in the region.

The prime minister also held a meeting with Mohammad Yahya Maroofi, the secretary-general of ECO, at the PM House.

DAWN.COM | Front Page | Islamabad-Istanbul container train service: Gilani launches trial phase of project
 

musalman

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I hope they start the passenger service too :)
 

Yusuf

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Hmm. Iran agreed to this? What kind of goods will be carried on these trains and the volume to justify the expense?
 

musalman

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Hmm. Iran agreed to this? What kind of goods will be carried on these trains and the volume to justify the expense?
Why would Iran say no to it. There is already a train service between Taftan Pakistan and Zahedan Iran. The only problem is that at Zahedan they either have to make a guage change station or Line from Islamabad to Zahedan be converted from Broad to standard guage. I think Line should be convereted.
 

musalman

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First Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul train arrives in Turkey



ANKARA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- A freight train, which departed from Islamabad to test the newly established 6,500 km railway linking Pakistan, Iran and Turkey, arrived in eastern Turkey Tuesday, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.

The railway line, which was recently completed linking Islamabad, Tehran and Istanbul, aims at connecting members states of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), according to the report.

ECO is an intergovernmental regional organization established in 1985 by Iran, Pakistan and Turkey to boost cooperation. It currently holds 10 member states.

The first freight train departed from Pakistan on Aug. 14 and stopped at Iranian capital of Tehran Sunday, and then arrived in Saray town in eastern Turkish Van province early Tuesday, said the report.

A number of Turkish, Iranian and Pakistani railway officials were on the train, according to the report.

The new railway connected Pakistan to Europe via Iran and Turkey, Turkish railway official Muhammed Atilcan was quoted as saying.

The train journey from Islamabad to Istanbul takes about 13 days, while travelling from European countries to Pakistan via seaway needs almost 40 to 45 days.

The Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul railway project comes amid efforts to boost economic cooperation among ECO member states.

Besides Pakistan, Iran and Turkey, ECO members are Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
 

kuku

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A train from Pakistan to Europe via Turkey, Look out europe more Pakistanis on their way. :))

Will do wonders for those who are afraid to fly.
 

musalman

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A train from Pakistan to Europe via Turkey, Look out europe more Pakistanis on their way. :))

Will do wonders for those who are afraid to fly.
Do u think rail option was not available before??? There was already a rail link between Pakistan and Iran, and from Iran to Turkiye
 

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