Pakistan’s first planned freight train to Russia has been postponed due to regional tensions stemming from the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, officials from Pakistan Railways confirmed on Wednesday. The train was scheduled to depart from Lahore on June 22, carrying 16 freight wagons with goods destined for Astrakhan, Russia.
The intended route included transit through Iran, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan. However, sources revealed that due to international border closures caused by heightened geopolitical tensions, the cross-border journey is currently not feasible.
Pakistan Railways had intended to gradually expand this freight service—starting with 16 containers and eventually increasing to 30 and later 50—to strengthen trade ties between South Asia and Central Asia. Officials noted that the initiative will move forward once the regional security environment stabilizes.