ISLAMABAD — Russia and Pakistan are moving ahead with plans to launch freight rail services between Moscow and Pakistan, Russian Ambassador Albert Khorev said in an interview with Russian news agency Izvestia.
The proposed project includes freight rail services on the Moscow-Karachi and Moscow-Faisalabad routes. The two countries also continue to explore Belarus’s possible participation in the project.
Khorev discussed the plans during an interview published by Izvestia on August 8, 2026.
Russia and Pakistan Finalize Freight Rail Agreement
According to Ambassador Khorev, Russia and Pakistan are working with their respective partners to establish freight rail services in both directions.
The two sides are now finalizing an agreement covering freight-related services. They are also identifying companies along the proposed route that could use the railway to transport commercial goods.
More Read
The agreement represents an important step toward launching regular freight services between Russia and Pakistan.
However, the project still requires further coordination among the countries and companies involved in the proposed corridor.
Belarus Could Join the Proposed Rail Corridor
Russia and Pakistan are also considering Belarus’s possible involvement in the project.
The proposed route could therefore connect businesses across several countries. Such a connection could create another land-based option for transporting commercial goods between Russia and Pakistan.
Officials have not yet announced a final operating structure for the possible Belarus connection.
The participating countries must first complete the necessary agreements and commercial arrangements.
Geopolitical Tensions Delayed the Project
Khorev said geopolitical tensions in the region caused several delays during 2025 and the first months of 2026.
The changing regional environment forced the parties to postpone implementation more than once.
The project has now moved forward again as Russia and Pakistan work to complete the remaining arrangements.
The two countries are also assessing potential commercial demand along the proposed routes.
Moscow-Karachi Route Could Boost Trade
The planned Moscow-Karachi freight service could strengthen trade links between Russia and Pakistan.
Karachi serves as a major commercial and maritime hub for Pakistan. A direct rail connection with Russia could give businesses another option for moving goods.
The Moscow-Faisalabad route could also support trade with Pakistan’s industrial and commercial sectors.
The success of the project will depend on several factors. These include freight demand, transit arrangements, border procedures and cooperation among railway operators.
Companies Being Identified Along the Route
Russia and Pakistan are currently looking for companies interested in using the proposed railway corridor.
Officials want businesses in the countries along the route to transport commercial goods through the new service.
This approach could help the countries assess demand before launching regular freight operations.
The parties have not yet announced a specific launch date for the first service.
For now, the completion of the freight-services agreement remains a key step toward putting the proposed rail connection into operation.
If Russia, Pakistan and potentially Belarus complete the necessary arrangements, the corridor could provide a new trade route linking Russian markets with Pakistan.
