Pakistan and Turkiye have agreed to strengthen long-term cooperation in the railway sector, with both countries reaffirming their commitment to joint investment, technology transfer, infrastructure modernisation and the early restoration of the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul (ITI) freight train service.

The understanding was reached during a delegation-level meeting between Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi and Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu during the Pakistani minister's official visit to Turkiye.

Both sides agreed to transform the ITI freight corridor into a permanent commercial trade route, aiming to enhance trade and regional connectivity between South Asia, Central Asia and Europe. Pakistan also briefed the Turkish delegation on the Rohri-Taftan Main Line-3 (ML-3) upgrade, highlighting its role in improving freight movement through Iran, while sharing progress on the Karachi-Rohri Main Line-1 (ML-1) project and inviting Turkish companies to participate in its remaining sections.

The two countries also discussed Turkiye's potential role in the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway Corridor (UAPRC), along with opportunities for cooperation in railway digitalisation, modern signalling systems, rolling stock upgrades, capacity building and technology transfer.

In addition, both sides explored prospects for joint ventures and local manufacturing at Pakistan Railways' carriage factory, concrete sleeper plants and engineering workshops, with Turkish technology expected to support the local production of railway equipment, passenger coaches and freight wagons.

Railways Minister Muhammad Hanif Abbasi said Pakistan looks forward to benefiting from Turkiye's expertise, investment and advanced technology as both countries work to translate their railway partnership into practical projects that support regional trade, connectivity and long-term economic growth.