LAHORE  -  The scheduled departure of Pakistan’s first freight train to Russia has been cancelled due to regional instability, triggered by the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, Pakistan Railways sources confirmed on Wednesday. According to officials, the cargo train was originally set to depart from Lahore on June 22 and was to carry 16 freight wagons, loaded with various goods to the Russian city of Astrakhan. The train was expected to pass through Iran, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan as part of its route.

Sources said that the closure of international borders amid the escalating Iran-Israel hostilities has rendered the cross-border movement of the freight train impossible at this time.

Pakistan Railways had planned to gradually expand the cargo operation, increasing the number of containers from 16 to 30 and eventually 50 in later phases. The initiative aimed to bolster trade links between South Asia and Central Asia by facilitating smoother cargo movement to and from Russia, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan. Officials added that the freight service will only resume once the conflict subsides and the regional security situation improves.