Pakistan and Russia are moving forward with their plan to start a pilot freight train service by August 2025. This project is expected to boost regional trade links and strengthen economic ties between the two countries.
The decision was shared after a high-level Pakistani delegation visited Moscow and met with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk. During the meeting, both sides discussed important areas of cooperation, including trade, energy projects, agriculture, and setting up a new steel mill in Karachi.
Deputy Prime Minister Overchuk called Pakistan a “natural ally” and repeated President Putin’s view that Pakistan is an important regional partner for Russia, especially in areas like economic development and energy cooperation. He added that Russia wants to build long-term relations that benefit both countries and the wider region.
A possible meeting between President Putin and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin was also mentioned. Such a meeting could help finalize new agreements and push forward joint projects like the freight train service.
The pilot freight train project is expected to make trade routes between Pakistan and Russia more efficient, saving time and reducing transportation costs for businesses. Experts believe it could open up new opportunities for exporters and help Pakistan strengthen its role in regional trade networks.
Both sides see this project as part of bigger plans to improve regional connectivity and promote stable economic growth through better cooperation. More updates are expected soon as the two countries work on the final details.
