Turkey-Pakistan to build a train line

[Edevelop]

A new train line joining Turkey to Pakistan will further seal the two countries together, providing an economic boost for both nations.

World Bulletin / News Desk

Held at the Serana Hotel in Islamabad, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif spoke at the Turkey-Pakistan Business forum, saying that Pakistan and Turkey have helped each other in difficult times, saying that as sister nations, "I'd say that Turkey is my first homeland. With Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, using the same expression, delights me".

Nawaz Sharif thanked Ahmet Davutoglu, for Turkey's support for the rehabilitation of those in tribal regions.

Evaluating the importance of economic and trade cooperation, Sharif said, "We have agreed on the building of a railway between Turkey and Pakistan. With this regional connectivity, the dream will turn into a reality: Sharif also explained that the Pakistan-Chinese economic corridor will also be brought to life.

Turkey-Pakistan to build a train line | Asia-Pasific | Worldbulletin News

 

[Zibago]

Through Iran or central asian states?

 

[That Guy]

Through Iran or central asian states?

It's probably through Iran.

Check this map

Going around would be far too expensive, and they'd have to avoid seas. They'd also need to get permission from multiple central Asian nations for that to happen, which would increase time and cost. As it is, Iran will be eager to allow this, as it is good for Iran. It's a win win situation for everyone.

The only thing I worry about is how international sanctions will affect this.

[Edit]: Changed comment, added better map.
[Edit 2]: It occurs to me, they could also go through Afghanistan. With relations improving, and the movement of people being a big problem between Afghanistan and Pakistan, this could improve the situation. This could also bring Afghanistan and Pakistan economically closer together. Though for this to happen, militancy in Afghanistan will have to be dealt with.

 

[Pak_Sher]

It is the revival of the concept of the RCD Highway from the 70s. This is good for tourism and trade.

 

[Daneshmand]

It can not go to central Asia since, there is no tracks in Afghanistan and even beyond, going through Russia and then Caucasus will be problematic to say the least.

The train link already exists. Iran's railway is connected to Turkey and to Pakistan, though there is a track gauge mismatch between Pakistan and Iran since Pakistan does not use standard gauge. So Pakistani trains can not run on Iranian or Turkish tracks. But the problem is not the link. It is the lack of political will. I have seen the Pakistan Railway train that runs between Queta and Zahedan. It is really a joke. The train wagons do not have doors, windows or sometimes even seats, let alone air-conditioning or catering. It never runs on schedule and is highly insecure and you are lucky if it runs twice a month. The train is a thing right from horror movies with its broken windows and broken frames.

Iran has been complaining to Pakistan, that either they should change the gauge size till Queta, making it possible for Iranian trains to run through it or they should upgrade the wagons and the locomotives. No response was ever received.

 

[Nawaba]

It can not go to central Asia since, there is no tracks in Afghanistan and even beyond, going through Russia and then Caucasus will be problematic to say the least.

The train link already exists. Iran's railway is connected to Turkey and to Pakistan, though there is a track gauge mismatch between Pakistan and Iran since Pakistan does not use standard gauge. So Pakistani trains can not run on Iranian or Turkish tracks. But the problem is not the link. It is the lack of political will. I have seen the Pakistan Railway train that runs between Queta and Zahedan. It is really a joke. The train wagons do not have doors, windows or sometimes even seats, let alone air-conditioning or catering. It never runs on schedule and is highly insecure and you are lucky if it runs twice a month. The train is a thing right from horror movies.

Iran has been complaining to Pakistan, that either they should change the gauge size till Queta, making it possible for Iranian trains to run through it or they should upgrade the wagons and the locomotives. No response was ever received.

Agreed.

 

[Daneshmand]

Agreed.

 

[Tameem]

It can not go to central Asia since, there is no tracks in Afghanistan and even beyond, going through Russia and then Caucasus will be problematic to say the least.

The train link already exists. Iran's railway is connected to Turkey and to Pakistan, though there is a track gauge mismatch between Pakistan and Iran since Pakistan does not use standard gauge. So Pakistani trains can not run on Iranian or Turkish tracks. But the problem is not the link. It is the lack of political will. I have seen the Pakistan Railway train that runs between Queta and Zahedan. It is really a joke. The train wagons do not have doors, windows or sometimes even seats, let alone air-conditioning or catering. It never runs on schedule and is highly insecure and you are lucky if it runs twice a month. The train is a thing right from horror movies with its broken windows and broken frames.

Iran has been complaining to Pakistan, that either they should change the gauge size till Queta, making it possible for Iranian trains to run through it or they should upgrade the wagons and the locomotives. No response was ever received.

So, Now you know why this announcement of "New Train Line, Railway" is Indeed very Important in this pretext

 

[Daneshmand]

So, Now you know why this announcement of "New Train Line, Railway" is Indeed very Important in this pretext

I don't know. Most probably it is just a political statement, nothing more. In other words, talking is cheap.

 

[Tameem]

I don't know. Most probably it is just a political statement, nothing more. In other words, talking is cheap.

Good or Bad, the bottom line is Pakistan can't finance this project in his own territory at the moment, If Iran couldn't help why not we lay hope on Turkey

 

[Menace2Society]

Pakistan, Iran and Turkey can build a corridor and good trade with each other.

 

[Daneshmand]

Good or Bad, the bottom line is Pakistan can't finance this project in his own territory at the moment, If Iran couldn't help why not we lay hope on Turkey

Well, if Turkey is ready to finance the project then it is good. Change the track size and donate two dozen new locomotives plus five hundred airconditioned wagons of standard gauge. The cost would come to about a billion dollars. Would they?

 

[Tameem]

Well, if Turkey is ready to finance the project then it is good. Change the track size and donate two dozen new locomotives plus five hundred airconditioned wagons of standard gauge. The cost would come to about 2 billion dollars. Would they?

Definitely, There is no silver lining on such finance but we need not to loose hope either, again the point is their is a will on both sides

 

[Daneshmand]

Definitely, There is no silver lining on such finance but we need not to loose hope either, again the point is their is a will on both sides

Lets hope this is the case indeed. Time will tell.

One other good benefit of this would be that, less Shias are going to be killed on Pakistani roads.

 

[suresh1773]

It can not go to central Asia since, there is no tracks in Afghanistan and even beyond, going through Russia and then Caucasus will be problematic to say the least.

The train link already exists. Iran's railway is connected to Turkey and to Pakistan, though there is a track gauge mismatch between Pakistan and Iran since Pakistan does not use standard gauge. So Pakistani trains can not run on Iranian or Turkish tracks. But the problem is not the link. It is the lack of political will. I have seen the Pakistan Railway train that runs between Queta and Zahedan. It is really a joke. The train wagons do not have doors, windows or sometimes even seats, let alone air-conditioning or catering. It never runs on schedule and is highly insecure and you are lucky if it runs twice a month. The train is a thing right from horror movies with its broken windows and broken frames.

Iran has been complaining to Pakistan, that either they should change the gauge size till Queta, making it possible for Iranian trains to run through it or they should upgrade the wagons and the locomotives. No response was ever received.

What about the train fare,it will be definatley cheaper then air fare. What is the train fare from Iran to Turkey & the time taken. Already buses coming from Iran to Pakistan r regularly attacked,security will be a very big issue