- Ambassador Khorev confirms Moscow–Faisalabad and Moscow–Karachi routes under active consideration, with Belarusian participation on the table
Msocow – In an exclusive comment to Izvestia on August 8, 2026, Russian Ambassador Albert P. Khorev provided a detailed update on bilateral transport cooperation with Pakistan, confirming that Moscow and Islamabad are advancing negotiations to launch the inaugural freight railway service along the Moscow–Faisalabad and Moscow–Karachi corridors.
Project Scope and Partners
“Together with our Pakistani counterparts, we are actively working to operationalise the first rail freight routes linking Russia with Faisalabad and Karachi in both directions,” Ambassador Khorev stated. He further noted that the Belarusian government is being consulted as a potential third participant, signalling a possible trilateral dimension to the initiative.
Implementation Delays and Regional Context
The envoy acknowledged that escalating geopolitical instability across the broader region throughout 2025 and into early 2026 has forced multiple postponements of the project’s rollout. While security and logistical assessments have contributed to the delays, Ambassador Khorev stressed that both sides remain committed to the corridor’s strategic value.
Current Status and Commercial Engagement
According to the Ambassador, the parties are now in the final stages of negotiating a formal service contract. Concurrently, officials are conducting outreach to identify commercial operators and cargo stakeholders in the transit countries along the proposed route, with the aim of securing firm commitments from enterprises interested in utilising the new transport link.
BY: Nadeem Faisal Baiga
