Urdu daily ‘Jang’ in the editorial said resumption of train service is a very positive development and on one hand it indicates improved security situation in Pakistan and on the other it also shows that Iran and Pakistan are interested to enhance bilateral trade through centuries old traditional trade routes.
It said many countries in world are linked with each other through different routes and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is one of such initiatives which could bring change in the entire region by generating vast economic activities.
It added that Iran and Pakistan which are custodians of centuries’ old heritage believe that ancient silk route should be restored with modern facilities, providing fast access to the Central Asian states to the warm waters of Iran and Pakistan.
However, the paper believed that there should be peace in Afghanistan for better economic activity in the region.
Another Urdu daily ‘Express’ in its editorial termed the resumption of train service between Iran and Pakistan as a major mile stone achieved in the bilateral ties. It said that the service would also facilitate the pilgrims who regularly visit the holy sites in Iran.
The paper added the train service between the two countries must be extended to Turkey and Central Asia which could trigger a new wave of investment in the entire region.
Pakistan and Iran have agreed to resume a fortnightly train service before Muharram. Officials of the two neighboring countries made the decision at a recent meeting held in Islamabad. Under the proposal, the train’s final destination will be either Mashhad or Qom, Iran.
The participants also decided to run 15 regular freight trains between Quetta in pakistan and Zahedan in Iran, with a final schedule to be shared by the Iranian side.
