Pakistan has opened six land routes to ease the transportation of goods to Iran, aiming to boost cross-border trade and improve regional connectivity.
According to officials, the Gwadar Gabd route has been made operational, while additional corridors from Port Qasim through Lyari and Manda to Pasni and onward to Gabd have also been opened.
Another key route from Port Qasim via Khuzdar and Dalbandin to Taftan has been activated, providing multiple options for cargo movement between the two countries.
The initiative is expected to streamline logistics, reduce transportation delays, and strengthen economic ties between Pakistan and Iran.
Pakistan opens new Gabd terminal trade corridor via Iran to Central Asia
Earlier, Pakistan achieved a major milestone in regional trade connectivity by activating the Gabd Border Terminal, strengthening its trade links with Iran and Central Asian states.The National Logistics Corporation (NLC) has operationalised the Gabd terminal under the Transport International Routier (TIR) system, enabling smoother cross-border cargo movement via road networks.
This development is expected to significantly boost Pakistan’s regional trade through Iran, offering a shorter, safer, and more efficient route to Central Asia compared to the traditional Afghanistan corridor.
Experts said the new Iran route provides a reliable alternative, effectively reducing Pakistan’s dependence on Afghanistan while ensuring faster access to Central Asian markets.
The milestone was marked by the successful handling and clearance of meat consignments transported from Karachi to Tashkent. After customs clearance, the shipment was dispatched to Uzbekistan via Iran under the TIR framework.
The NLC has already been working on activating multiple trade corridors connecting Pakistan with China, Iran, Central Asian states, and other countries. The Gabd Border Terminal itself was constructed in March 2024 to formalise and enhance Pakistan-Iran trade.
Economic experts believe this strategic move will allow Pakistan to expand exports to Central Asia through Iran, following increased connectivity with China. The new route is expected to reduce travel distance, cut logistics costs, improve trade efficiency, and eliminate reliance on the Afghan route.
They further noted that this initiative positions Pakistan as a regional connectivity hub, providing direct access to Central Asian markets.
Located near Gwadar Port, the Gabd-Rimdan corridor is also expected to emerge as a key trade gateway in the future, further strengthening Pakistan’s role in regional commerce.
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