Islamabad: Pakistan and Iran have decided to resume the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul (ITI) freight train service in December this year. This agreement was reached during a meeting between Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi and Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadegh in Islamabad.

According to Radio Pakistan, the meeting also covered plans to connect the Chabahar and Gwadar ports through rail or road networks, with the aim of enhancing regional trade and logistics. Both sides agreed on a coordination mechanism to strengthen connectivity between the two nations.

It was further decided that the upgrade of the Quetta-Taftan railway section will commence next year. Hanif Abbasi stated that efforts are underway to reinforce the freight transport system from Karachi Port, and work will soon begin on the 884-kilometer Rohri-Nokundi section.

Iranian Minister Farzaneh Sadegh highlighted the increasing access of Central Asian countries to global markets through Iran. She emphasized the significant role that both Pakistan and Iran are playing in linking China to Europe.