Pakistan Launches Iran Transit Corridor for Global Trade
Pakistan has introduced a major policy change to boost regional trade by allowing goods from third countries to pass through its territory en route to Iran. The move was announced through a notification issued by the Ministry of Commerce, which came into effect immediately under the Pakistan Through Transit Trade to Iran Order, 2026.
Under this new framework, goods originating outside Pakistan can now be transported across the country and delivered to designated locations in Iran. This step is being seen as a significant effort to improve cross-border trade connectivity and strengthen Pakistan’s role in regional commerce.
To support the initiative, the government amended the Import and Export Control Act, 1950, establishing a legal structure for the transit system. Officials clarified that the policy strictly applies to foreign-origin goods that only pass through Pakistan without entering its domestic market.
The government has outlined several transit routes to operationalize the policy. Major entry points include Gwadar, Karachi, and Port Qasim, which will serve as primary gateways for shipments. From these ports, goods will travel through multiple routes across Balochistan.
Key corridors include the Gwadar–Gabd route, as well as pathways passing through Lyari, Maira, Pasni, and Gabd. Additional routes connect Karachi and Port Qasim to Iran via Khuzdar, Dalbandin, and Taftan. A longer inland corridor has also been approved, linking Gwadar with Turbat, Hoshab, Panjgur, Nag, Besima, Khuzdar, Quetta, Dalbandin, Nokundi, and Taftan. Another parallel route connects Gwadar to Taftan through Lyari, Khuzdar, Quetta, and Dalbandin.
Authorities emphasized that all transit trade will be regulated under the Customs Act, 1969, with strict procedures set by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to ensure transparency and compliance.
Officials view this decision as a strategic move to position Pakistan as a regional transit hub. The initiative is expected to enhance trade flows, strengthen economic ties with neighboring countries, and create economic opportunities, particularly in Balochistan.
Earlier, on April 13, Pakistan also launched the Pakistan-Iran transit corridor, marking the occasion with the dispatch of its first export consignment from Karachi. The shipment, consisting of frozen meat, demonstrated the potential of the new land-based route to provide faster and more reliable access to Central Asian markets.
