Russia, Pakistan to launch first freight rail service connecting Moscow to Karachi: report

Russia and Pakistan are working to launch their first freight rail services connecting Moscow with Karachi and Faisalabad, with Belarus also being considered a potential participant, Russia’s ambassador to Pakistan, Albert Khorev, said.

The two countries are working to establish freight services in both directions along the proposed Moscow-Karachi and Moscow-Faisalabad routes, Khorev said in an interview with Russian news agency Izvestia published on Aug. 8.

“We are collaborating with our Pakistani partners to launch the first freight rail service in both directions on the Moscow–Faisalabad and Moscow–Karachi routes. The possibility of involving Belarus in this project is also being considered,” said Khorev.

The project has faced repeated delays during 2025 and the early months of 2026 due to heightened geopolitical tensions in the region, the ambassador said.

“At present, the parties are finalising the agreement on freight-related services and identifying companies in the countries along the proposed route that are interested in transporting their commercial goods via this path,” Khorev said.

The planned rail links would provide a land-based freight connection between Russia and Pakistan, potentially strengthening trade and transport connectivity between the two countries.

Diplomatic relations between Pakistan and the Russian Federation were established on May 1, 1948, and both countries have maintained friendly ties since then.

Historically, Soviet specialists participated in significant projects in Pakistan, such as the construction of the Karachi Steel Mills in the 1980s and the Guddu Thermal Power Plant. While relations were initially shaped by geopolitical alignments and mistrust during the Cold War, they have evolved towards pragmatic cooperation based on shared interests.

Days ago, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk announced that negotiations are underway between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and Pakistan regarding the establishment of a free trade zone.

“Our expert group has already held joint consultations with Pakistan (…), and we expect that formal negotiations on the establishment of a free trade zone will begin in the near future,” said Overchuk on the sidelines of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council meeting on August 6.