Iran-Pakistan rail link seen boosting Central Asia, Europe connectivity: Momeni
A planned rail link between Iran and Pakistan would be a strategic development that strengthens transport connections to Central Asia and Europe while boosting bilateral trade, the Iranian interior minister said on Wednesday.
Speaking during talks with Pakistan's Railways Minister Muhammad Hanif Abbasi in Islamabad, Eskandar Momeni said launching the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) container train would significantly deepen bilateral relations and regional connectivity. He added that linking Iran's rail network with Pakistan, home to about 250 million people, would increase trade between the neighboring countries, ISNA reported.
Following ministerial talks between Iran and Pakistan last year, the two countries agreed to develop a joint railway action plan. The plan forms the basis for the modernization of the Quetta-Taftan railway line, aimed at improving rail safety and efficiency and facilitating the resumption of the ECO Container Train (ITI) service on the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul route.
Momeni also said construction of the Zahedan-Chabahar railway would be completed soon, while modernization of the Zahedan-Mirjaveh railway line was expected to finish within a month. He said the standard-gauge railway from Mirjaveh to Taftan on Pakistan's border should also be completed to facilitate train services.
"Our relations have developed in a unique way over the past two years, and the expansion of these interactions at the current level has been remarkable," Momeni said.
He said the rail link would support both freight and passenger transport between the neighboring countries, which share longstanding historical ties, adding that broader cooperation could promote development and prosperity in their border regions.
Abbasi said Pakistan's prime minister attached special importance to railway cooperation with Iran and had instructed the railways ministry to establish a framework for railway projects, including modernization of the Taftan railway line.
Sistan and Baluchestan Governor-General Mansour Bijar also outlined the southeastern province's potential to support joint objectives, including border cooperation, railway connectivity and investment.