Business Recorder
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran on Thursday held detailed discussions on enhancing railway connectivity, particularly focusing on the Taftan-Zahedan railway route and the Islamabad–Tehran–Istanbul (ITI) freight train project. The discussions took place during a meeting between Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi and Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Reza Amiri Moghadam. Both sides discussed bilateral relations, railway cooperation, and the overall regional situation. Abbasi reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening the longstanding brotherly ties between Pakistan and Iran. He stated that Pakistan highly values its close historical, cultural, and mutually respectful ties with Iran and remains committed to expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Pakistan and Iran share a 900-kilometer border, prompting both nations to frequently explore cooperation in trade. Abbasi met Moghadam in Islamabad to discuss bilateral relations, railway cooperation, and the overall regional situation. The ITI covers over 6,500 kilometres, spanning 2,570 kilometres in Iran, 2,000 kilometres in Türkiye, and about 1,900 kilometres in Pakistan. The freight train service was launched in August 2009 as a project under the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), a 10-nation Asian trade bloc, but was suspended in 2012 due to security reasons. In December 2025, Pakistan and Iran both agreed to resume the project. Both sides agreed that stronger railway cooperation would play a vital role in promoting regional trade and connectivity. The meeting also reviewed ongoing efforts regarding the repair and rehabilitation of the Quetta–Taftan railway section. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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