The Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul (ITI) Train Service was initially operated in 2012 and lastly till 2020 for transportation of goods between the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Countries.
The train is operated on the demand of the trading communities of the three Countries. In this regard, a high level working group (HLWG) regularly holds meetings for sustainable operation of ITI train and addresses any issue as per the ECO direction.
The next meeting of the HLWG is scheduled in September 2024 during which the agenda for the resumption of the ITI train will be discussed.
The said train is operated on following route of Pakistan Railway network: Islamabad-Rohri-Quetta-Taftan.
Following districts of Balochistan are already connected through existing railway line between Rohri-Quetta-Taftan Section:
- Sibbi
- Kachi (Bolan)
- Mastung
- Quetta
- Chagai
Furthermore, the present status of Rohri-Quetta-Tafkan Track is as under:
Quetta-Taftan Section
The Ministry of Railways has already completed the feasibility study of Ouetta-Taftan Section on 15-06-2019. The Russian Ministry of Transport has shown interest to finance the Upgradation of Quetta-Taftan Section for which a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was received in the Ministry Railways in January 2024. After approval of the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Railways shared the MoU with Ministry of Transport, Russian through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on February 22, 2024 for their review and signatures. The Embassy of Pakistan in Russia informed the Ministry of Railways that the MoU has been signed on June 07, 2024 at Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum. After receiving the signed MoU thenext steps will be taken accordingly.
Rohri-Sibi Section
The PC-I of Rohri-Sibi Section (212 kilometers) for track rehabilitation amounting to Rs 5,490 million has been approved by CDWP on June 07, 2024.
Note: The above information was shared with the Senate on July 05, 2024 by the Minister for Railways.