Pakistan will launch its first-ever freight train to Russia on June 22, with the route passing through Iran, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and into southern Russia, as reported by news agency Newscentralasia on Thursday.

The train will depart from Lahore, travel over 2,000 kilometers to the Taftan border crossing with Iran, and continue through the North-South Transport Corridor’s eastern branch — a fast-growing trade route connecting South Asia with Eurasia.

The cargo will be transloaded in Zahedan, Iran, due to a change in track gauge, and then continue through the Sarakhs border crossing into Turkmenistan. From there, it will move onward through Kazakhstan to Astrakhan, Russia.

Turkmenistan plays a key role in the corridor, providing critical rail connectivity between Iran and Kazakhstan. The track gauge is uniform throughout Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Russia, allowing uninterrupted rail transit.

The full route spans nearly 8,000 kilometers, with an estimated travel time of 20 to 25 days. The initial shipment will carry around 15–16 TEUs, with potential to increase to 31 containers after tariff finalization.

Pakistan’s Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi noted the initiative reflects Pakistan’s strategy to integrate its railway network with Central Asia, improve regional connectivity, and boost international trade.

Business Turkmenistan