Islamabad-Istanbul Train Service to Resume this Year

After years of stop-and-start attempts, Pakistan, Iran, and Türkiye have finally locked in a firm date to relaunch the Islamabad–Tehran–Istanbul (ITI) freight train, a flagship regional corridor that once promised faster and cheaper cargo movement across three key economies. The service is now slated to resume on December 31, closing a long hiatus. According to Dawn, the decision followed a detailed meeting between Pakistan’s Railways Minister Muhammad Hanif Abbasi and Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghaddam in Islamabad on Thursday.

Officials say the relaunch is more than symbolic; it’s a revival of one of the region’s most strategically placed land routes, cutting through South Asia, the Middle East, and onward to Europe. The 6,500-km line is expected to slash freight transit times and re-energize cross-border commerce that had slowed due to technical issues, operational gaps, and regional disruptions. One source described the upcoming restart as “a genuine game changer for exporters looking for predictable timelines.”

During the meeting, Minister Abbasi said the renewed ITI line aligns closely with the prime minister’s broader push to widen Pakistan’s trade footprint and strengthen transport linkages with neighboring economies. He noted that a reliable freight chain could funnel more revenue to Pakistan Railways and build investor confidence. The Iranian envoy also invited Abbasi for an official visit to Tehran to deepen ongoing economic cooperation talks.

Business circles in Pakistan, especially those linked to textiles, agriculture, and manufactured goods, view the revival as a long-overdue breath of fresh air. With port congestion and maritime costs frequently fluctuating, the land route offers a steadier alternative. According to Daily Times, the three governments are also exploring aligned customs procedures and digital tracking systems to avoid past delays.

If the December 31 rollout stays on schedule, the first ITI train will mark the rebirth of a corridor many believed had faded into the background, now returning with renewed political backing and a clearer operational roadmap.