Local media on Friday reported that the train started its journey from Azakhel Dry Port in northwestern Pakistan and will reach Istanbul within 12 to 15 days, as compared to the 45 days long journey by sea route.
The Special Assistant to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Abdul Karim Khan, Member National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance Nawabzada Salahuddin, and notable traders, the higher authorities of Pakistan Railways attended the inaugural ceremony.
The second cargo train will take over 550 tons of goods from Azakhel Dry Port to Istanbul via Tehran.
Special Assistant to KP CM on Industries & Commerce, Abdul Karim Khan said the resumption of the ITI train and the development of rail transport in the region will make it easier for the province's traders to access international markets.
He has said that the provincial government is taking serious steps for promotion of trade and industries.
He added that the ample proof of the efforts of the government is the departure of a cargo train from Azakhel Dry Port for Istanbul.
The Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul railway project, called the Eco Container Train, resumed on December 21st with the presence of Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister for Railways Azam Khan Swati, Adviser to Prime Minister of Pakistan for Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood and Ambassador of Iran to Pakistan Mohammad Ali Hosseini.
The length of the ECO railway line is 6,500 km, out of which 2,570 km is in Iran, 2,000 km in Turkey and about 1,900 km in Pakistan.
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