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LAHORE Despite security issues, the Pakistan Railways is all set to resume freight train service between Iran and Pakistan from today (Tuesday).
The PR will run one train between the Quetta and Zahidan in a week and number of train will be increased gradually.
Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique told newsmen here on Monday that the PR was also ready to run ECO train but it was waiting Turkey’s response in this regard.
Gul Train or ECO Train is a proposed international freight train project between Islamabad, Pakistan and Istanbul, Turkey via Tehran, Iran.
“We are ready to start service but the Turkish government is maintaining track between Ankara and Istanbul. Once they complete the work, the service will start,” said the minister.
The freight train service was at peak between Quetta (Balochistan capital) and Zahidan (the capital city of Sistan and Baluchestan province of Iran) in 2005-06 but it almost abandoned in 2010 due to poor infrastructure of railways at around 600km long route from Quetta to Taftan—the starting point of Iran border—and law and order situation in Balochistan.
The PR had also started the maintenance work on track and announcing special hardship allowance to the workers.
“Initially, 24 bogies will be attacked with the train and the number will be increased to 40 after some time,” informed Khawaja Saad and he thanked the Railways Secretary Perveen Agha, PR adviser Anjum Pervez, PR Chief Marketing Manager Zubair Shafi Ghauri and DS Quetta for their great input in resuming of the service. Zubair Shafi told that annually trade through train between the two countries was 8000 bogies per year in 2004-05 but it was came down at mere 100 bogies in year 2010.
Pakistan will export rice and other goods and bring sulfur, charcoal and other chemicals from Iran. The train will cover 732km in around 30 hours between Quetta and Zahidan via Sar-i-Ab, Spezand Jn, Wali Khan, Sheikh Wasil, Galangur, Kishingi, Nushki, Ahmedwal, Padag Road, Dalbandin, Yakmach, Nok-Kundi, Alamreg, Tozghi, Kohi-Taftan, Mirjawa and Khan Muhammad Chah.
Khawja Saad, on occasion, also informed that China had been requested to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor route from Peshawar to Torkham. He said the freight train will bring 2000 liter diesel on cheap rate from Iran during each journey. He said the Railways had achieved the revenue targets a month before the end date.
The minister also vowed to add further facilities in Green Line Train and decrease fare for short-distance travelers on the said train from June 20.
PR all set to resume Pak-Iran freight train service today
The PR will run one train between the Quetta and Zahidan in a week and number of train will be increased gradually.
Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique told newsmen here on Monday that the PR was also ready to run ECO train but it was waiting Turkey’s response in this regard.
Gul Train or ECO Train is a proposed international freight train project between Islamabad, Pakistan and Istanbul, Turkey via Tehran, Iran.
“We are ready to start service but the Turkish government is maintaining track between Ankara and Istanbul. Once they complete the work, the service will start,” said the minister.
The freight train service was at peak between Quetta (Balochistan capital) and Zahidan (the capital city of Sistan and Baluchestan province of Iran) in 2005-06 but it almost abandoned in 2010 due to poor infrastructure of railways at around 600km long route from Quetta to Taftan—the starting point of Iran border—and law and order situation in Balochistan.
The PR had also started the maintenance work on track and announcing special hardship allowance to the workers.
“Initially, 24 bogies will be attacked with the train and the number will be increased to 40 after some time,” informed Khawaja Saad and he thanked the Railways Secretary Perveen Agha, PR adviser Anjum Pervez, PR Chief Marketing Manager Zubair Shafi Ghauri and DS Quetta for their great input in resuming of the service. Zubair Shafi told that annually trade through train between the two countries was 8000 bogies per year in 2004-05 but it was came down at mere 100 bogies in year 2010.
Pakistan will export rice and other goods and bring sulfur, charcoal and other chemicals from Iran. The train will cover 732km in around 30 hours between Quetta and Zahidan via Sar-i-Ab, Spezand Jn, Wali Khan, Sheikh Wasil, Galangur, Kishingi, Nushki, Ahmedwal, Padag Road, Dalbandin, Yakmach, Nok-Kundi, Alamreg, Tozghi, Kohi-Taftan, Mirjawa and Khan Muhammad Chah.
Khawja Saad, on occasion, also informed that China had been requested to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor route from Peshawar to Torkham. He said the freight train will bring 2000 liter diesel on cheap rate from Iran during each journey. He said the Railways had achieved the revenue targets a month before the end date.
The minister also vowed to add further facilities in Green Line Train and decrease fare for short-distance travelers on the said train from June 20.
PR all set to resume Pak-Iran freight train service today
