After a gap of around 10 years, the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul (ITI) train reached Ankara via Lahore, Taftan, and Zahedan. It successfully delivered the cargo loaded onto it.
According to reports, the train that departed on Dec 21 from Islamabad carrying goods (mainly pink salt) reached Ankara (Turkey) on Monday evening. Before reaching its destination, the goods loaded onto the train were shifted to other bogies (trans-shipment) compatible with the Iranian and Turkish rail/gauge system. The train consisted of eight wagons carrying pink salt weighing 150 tonnes.
150 tonnes of Himalayan salt from Pakistan reaches Turkey via first Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul train pic.twitter.com/QABnS64T2z
— Hasan Abdullah (@journalisthasan) January 5, 2022
Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Industries and Commerce Abdul Karim Khan in December 2021 inaugurated freight train service from Azakhel Dry Port to Istanbul.
Promoting trade
While inaugurating the freight train service along with Member National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance, Nawabzada Salahuddin, notable traders and higher authorities of Pakistan Railways, the SACM said provincial government was taking serious steps for the promotion of trade and industries.
Read more: Pakistan-Turkey to resume freight train operations on March 4th
He said that the ample proof of these efforts was the departure of a freight train from Azakhel Dry Port to Istanbul. The second cargo for Istanbul has left with the cooperation of private enterprise Haroon Brothers.
It is worth mentioning that with the cooperation of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and Haroon Brothers cargo train service from Azakhel Dry Port to Istanbul (Turkey) has been initiated.
The axis of evil – Freight #Train Service From #Azakhel (#Pakistan) To #Turkey Begins
Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Industries and Commerce Abdul Karim Khan on Wednesday inaugurated freight train service from Azakhel Dry Port to Istanbul. pic.twitter.com/Rmh7lQozyx
— Andreas Mountzouroulias 🇬🇷 (@andreasmoun) December 29, 2021
On this occasion, the SACM launched cargo train service between Azakhel Dry Port and Istanbul through Iran.
The CM aide thanked the employees of Haroon Brothers and Pakistan Railways and said that this service will help provide easy access to the products produced in KP to the international market.
Read more: Turkey-Iran-Pakistan cargo train to be a game-changer: FM Qureshi
He said that the second cargo train will take over 550 tons of goods from Azakhel Dry Port to Istanbul via Tehran. The train will reach Istanbul within 12 to 15 days, as compared to the 45 days long journey by sea route.
Courtesy: APP with additional input by GVS