There is good news for importers and exporters doing business in Pakistan, Iran and Turkey as the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul (ITI) freight train has become a reality. The revival of the regular operation of the ITI freight train would benefit the business community first and foremost. The ITI freight train will be operated regularly on Tuesday of every week and it would be equipped with nine wagons. At the inauguration of the train service, Minister for Railways Azam Khan Swati also announced the start of passengers train service soon. The exchange of goods between Iran, Turkey and Pakistan would boost trade that has been flagging for many years.
Regional connectivity through new trade routes, ease of doing business and cost effectiveness compared to air freight are some of the key features of the ITI service. There is a hope that the initiative will get bigger as the train route can go all the way to Europe which would benefit all regional countries so, Pakistan can now connect with Europe via rail. The only issue is the conversion of the train mode to modern lines. The use of diesel causes more expenditure compared to expenses incurred on an electric train. The establishment of modern rail infrastructure to reduce the travel time is also necessary. Currently, the total travel time required to go from Islamabad to Istanbul would be 226 hours. There is a need to refurbish the track and infrastructure to enhance the speed of trains on the route.
The legitimate trade overland would also help reduce the smuggling of goods, besides benefiting the three governments in collecting duties on traded goods. Religious pilgrims would be benefited as their journey would be relatively safer than road travel. While all this is good and hopeful, the real advantages would begin to flow in trade between Pakistan, Turkey and Iran once the international sanctions against Iran are lifted. So far, the three states need to take full advantage of geographical proximity and mutually beneficial exchanges.
