Islamabad shifts trade flows away from Afghanistan, launching direct corridors to Kyrgyzstan through Iran and China under TIR regime.
Pakistan has activated new overland trade corridors to Central Asia, bypassing Afghanistan entirely. The first export shipment under the TIR regime departed Karachi in April 2026, reaching Kyrgyzstan via China’s Sost Dry Port. The move follows Afghanistan’s indefinite border closures disrupting regional trade flows.
The routes leverage existing infrastructure through Iran and China, reducing reliance on Afghan transit. Pakistan Customs confirmed operational status, though no volume targets were disclosed. Prior attempts to stabilize Afghan corridors had faced repeated delays due to political instability.
No immediate market reaction was reported, but analysts expect gradual rerouting of Central Asian exports through Pakistani ports, potentially boosting regional trade volumes.