Pakistan opens Iran transit corridor to Central Asia
Trade activity through the newly launched Iran-Pakistan transit corridor officially started on Monday with the dispatch of the first export shipment from Pakistan.
Sanaullah Abro, director of transit trade customs, told The Express Tribune that the maiden shipment — frozen meat — was sent to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, via refrigerated trucks.
Abro said that under the new arrangement, goods from Pakistan will move through Gwadar, cross into Iran, and then proceed toward Central Asian destinations.
He added that the launch of the corridor is expected to stimulate Pakistan's economic growth and boost freight movement through the country's ports.
According to the Directorate of Transit Trade Customs, the corridor operates under the TIR (Transports Internationaux Routiers) system. To facilitate this, authorities have streamlined TIR procedures and activated major border points, including Taftan, Rimdan, Sost, and Gwadar.
Officials describe the Iran-Pakistan transit corridor as an important advancement for Pakistan's trade and transit sectors, with the potential to expand exports and strengthen regional connectivity. They said the route will offer Pakistan a cost-efficient alternative to maritime trade, reducing transport times and significantly cutting logistics expenses.