ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORTER
Pakistan and Russia are in advanced negotiations to finalize the schedule for the first-ever pilot freight train service, which will transport a consignment of rice consisting of 16 containers to Moscow. This landmark initiative falls under the framework of the 9th Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC) and aims to connect Karachi Port to Moscow via Iran, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan.
According to official documents available to Wealth Pakistan, the rice containers were initially prepared for dispatch in June 2025. However, regional circumstances led to delays, prompting ongoing discussions between the two sides to determine a new departure date.
The proposed rail corridor will span over 7,000 kilometers and is expected to deliver goods to Moscow in approximately 20 to 25 days. The estimated shipping cost per container is around USD 5,600. This overland route will offer a faster and more cost-effective alternative to traditional sea routes, which typically take 35 to 45 days.
The project, initiated following a landmark agreement signed in May 2025 between Pakistan Railways and Russian Railways (RZD), is being hailed as a major step toward establishing a permanent land-based trade route. It aims to enhance Pakistan’s strategic role as a regional trade hub and significantly improve access to Russian and Central Asian markets for Pakistani agricultural products.
By reducing both delivery times and freight costs, the corridor is expected to make Pakistani goods, especially agricultural commodities like rice, more competitive in international markets. The pilot train is viewed as a crucial first step in realizing the broader vision of integrated regional connectivity and economic cooperation.
If successful, the route is anticipated to serve as a reliable trade corridor that complements existing sea-based logistics networks and boosts Pakistan’s exports to the Eurasian region.
