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Pakistan has confirmed that the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul (ITI) freight train, a key corridor linking Asia and Europe, will return to service on Dec. 31, 2025. The route, also known as the “ECO Freight Train” under the Economic Cooperation Organization, is designed to strengthen commercial ties between Pakistan, Iran and Türkiye and to offer businesses a faster and more cost-efficient alternative for transporting goods across continents.
The Ministry of Railways in Pakistan announced that the train will depart from Islamabad at the end of December, restarting a line that has long been viewed as a strategic connector between South Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Officials noted that the reopening aims to support regional supply chains and create a more direct flow of goods from Asia into European markets through Türkiye.
This multinational route links the capitals and major hubs of three countries and is expected to reinforce economic cooperation by reducing transport times and lowering logistical costs for exporters and importers.
Pakistan’s Minister of Railways Hanif Abbasi stated that the government intends to ensure rail transport is fully operational by the end of the year to meet its planned milestones. He urged business communities to seize what he described as growing opportunities emerging from the renewed corridor.
The minister also underlined that the programme to revitalise the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul container train will be implemented from Dec. 31 onward, marking a formal return to scheduled operations.
The revival initiative is viewed as a significant step for regional commerce, as it is expected to deepen economic ties among Pakistan, Iran and Türkiye.
The ITI line is intended to speed up the movement of goods from Asian production centres to European markets, offering a continuous rail link that enhances efficiency while helping companies diversify their transport options.
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