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Pakistan-Turkey rail trial starts | Pakistan-Turkey rail trial starts |
(2 days later) | |
Pakistan has begun its first international freight train service from Islamabad to Istanbul. | Pakistan has begun its first international freight train service from Islamabad to Istanbul. |
The 6,500km (4,040 mile) trial service via the Iranian capital, Tehran, is a pilot project of the regional Economic Co-operation Organisation. | The 6,500km (4,040 mile) trial service via the Iranian capital, Tehran, is a pilot project of the regional Economic Co-operation Organisation. |
Officials expect it to boost Pakistan's trade with Turkey and Iran - currently estimated at $1bn - by as much as 50%. | Officials expect it to boost Pakistan's trade with Turkey and Iran - currently estimated at $1bn - by as much as 50%. |
There are also hopes the route will eventually provide a link to Europe and Central Asia, and carry passengers. | There are also hopes the route will eventually provide a link to Europe and Central Asia, and carry passengers. |
Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said he hoped the route would one day also provide passenger services and boost tourism, reports said. | |
The train will pull 20 containers on its maiden journey from Islamabad railway station, delivering 14 to Tehran and six to Istanbul a fortnight after it sets off. | The train will pull 20 containers on its maiden journey from Islamabad railway station, delivering 14 to Tehran and six to Istanbul a fortnight after it sets off. |
The first journey will also take railway experts from the three countries on board to gauge the performance and check for obstacles over the vast terrain. | The first journey will also take railway experts from the three countries on board to gauge the performance and check for obstacles over the vast terrain. |
Mr Gilani described the beginning as "an epic event", Pakistan's APP news agency reported. | Mr Gilani described the beginning as "an epic event", Pakistan's APP news agency reported. |
Some operational obstacles also remain to be resolved, and parts of the route need to be upgraded, he added. | Some operational obstacles also remain to be resolved, and parts of the route need to be upgraded, he added. |
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