ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi and Iranian Ambassador Dr. Reza Amiri Moghadam discussed enhancing bilateral railway connectivity on Thursday, as ongoing tensions in the Middle East prompt countries to reshape trade routes.
Regional trade and transport routes are increasingly in focus worldwide due to the US-Israel war on Iran. The conflict has disrupted key trade routes via sea, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, shedding light on the importance of commercial transactions via land routes.
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, Pakistan’s Press Information Department (PID) said in a statement.
“The two sides held detailed discussions on enhancing railway connectivity between Pakistan and Iran, particularly focusing on the Taftan–Zahedan railway route and the Islamabad–Tehran–Istanbul (ITI) freight train project,” the PID said.
“Both sides agreed that stronger railway cooperation would play a vital role in promoting regional trade and connectivity.”
The ITI covers over 6,500 kilometers, spanning 2,570 kilometers in Iran, 2,000 kilometers in Türkiye and about 1,900 kilometers 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 also reviewed ongoing efforts regarding the repair and rehabilitation of the Quetta-Taftan railway section that connects Pakistan and Iran via the southwestern Balochistan province. Abbasi stressed that improved infrastructure and effective security measures are essential to ensure uninterrupted railway operations.
Both sides spoke about the evolving regional situation, as Iran and the US reportedly inch toward a short-term deal to end their conflict.
“Ambassador Dr. Reza Amiri Moghadam appreciated Pakistan’s positive and constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability and acknowledged Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts as commendable,” the statement said.
Enhancing regional railway connectivity could prove to be a challenge for Pakistan, as Islamabad struggles to reform its loss-making railway sector. Pakistan Railways has relied heavily on frequent government bailouts over the past few years.
While the railway, with its aging tracks and bridges, has not been fully privatized, the government has outsourced parts of its operations to private entities.
