LAHORE – The Federal government has failed to materialise the proposed ECO container train project between Pakistan and Turkey via Iran during its present tenure, TheNation has learnt reliably.  
Former Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani inaugurated the demo train, which was named after Turkish President Abdullah Gul as Gul Train, on 14th August 2009. So far, only eight trains have been dispatched and the last one ran on November 5, 2011 from Pakistan while Turkey ran six goods train.
Lack of interest of the Railways Ministry and security problems in Balochistan are main hurdles to run the Gul Train.
Sources said that Iran, another main stakeholder in the project, was also not showing much interest towards the project as it would get no direct benefit except the transit fee for using 2570km track from Zahidan to Kapikoy.   
“Gul Train can open unconnected and unexplored European and Asian markets for the country besides it would add billions of rupees in cash-strapped Railways economy. India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh miserably need the service.”
It has been learnt that load limitation in Quetta division, track situation on Spezand-Taftan division, locomotive and fuel crisis are also issued needed to be addressed.
Around 6,500 kilometres Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul project got final shape during April 2011’s visit by President Asif Ali Zardari to Turkey. At time, the Turkish Union of Chambers (TOBB) had announced to set up a dedicated company to execute the project and run it in less than a year, however, no progress has been made so far. 
“If materialised, Gul Train would be the great project and can connect all SAARC region with Europe. The Railways has potential to run the trains. Some issued can be addressed through proper planning and by deploying a bounded carrier where the track is weak,” according to the sources. They said: “Initially weekly service which can complete one-way Istanbul-Tehran-Islamabad trip in 14 days had been agreed but number of trains can be increased.”
In Pakistan’s 1990km track, the train would run from Rawalpindi to Zahidan via Wazirabad, Faisalabad, Khanewal, Rohri, Jacobabad, Sibi, Spezand, Ahmedwal, Kohi-i-Taftan and Mirjawa.
The 116km long track between Sibi to Spezand is weak but the problem can be solved by stuffing goods from train to deployed bounded transport alongside the track. The train would run on 2570km track of standard gauge in Iran from Zahidan to Kaikoy via Bam, Kerman, Yazd, Kashan, Aprin, Qazvin, Zanjan, Maragheh and Razi.
Similarly, it will run on 2006km long track from Van Lake, where the goods would be shifted on ferries, to Haydar Pasha Railways Station of Turkey.