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

Business Recorder reported that Russia and Pakistan are preparing their initial freight railway links, which would connect Moscow with Karachi and Faisalabad. The information came from Russian ambassador Albert Khorev, who spoke to the Izvestia news agency in an interview published on August 8. Belarus is also being considered as a possible participant, and Khorev said that possibility is under review.

Work is ongoing on freight services in both directions along the proposed routes, and the parties are finalising an agreement on these services. Companies along the route that want to move commercial goods by this land path are being identified. The project was delayed repeatedly during 2025 and early 2026 because of regional geopolitical tensions, the ambassador stated.

Once in place, the rail links would give Russia and Pakistan a land-based freight connection that could deepen trade and transport ties between them. Pakistan and Russia have had diplomatic relations since May 1, 1948, and Soviet specialists previously took part in projects such as the Karachi Steel Mills in the 1980s and the Guddu Thermal Power Plant. Separately, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk said on August 6 that formal talks on a free trade zone between the Eurasian Economic Union and Pakistan are expected soon.