Uzbekistan has begun actively utilizing new land trade routes organized by Pakistan. These corridors allow for cargo transportation bypassing Afghan territory, using transit through Iran and China.
Launch of New Transport Arteries
According to information published by Jerusalem Post, Tashkent has already started using the route passing through the Iranian border crossing of Gabd-e Karimdan. This route is used for moving industrial raw materials and agricultural machinery. These transport lines began operating in April 2026 and have provided Central Asian countries with an alternative way to access Pakistani ports and reach international markets.
Reasons for Opening Corridors
Pakistan opened two new corridors—one through Iran (Gabd-e Karimdan border crossing) and another through China (Sost dry port)—after a decision was made in October 2025 to temporarily close major transit checkpoints on the border with Afghanistan, such as Torkham and Chaman, due to security concerns.
Initial Results and Cooperation
To date, over 14 thousand metric tons of cargo have been transported along both newly opened routes. The official launch of one of these corridors took place during a coordination ceremony in Karachi, attended by official delegations from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.
The first convoy traveling through Iran delivered frozen meat and other export goods to both Tashkent and Bishkek. Furthermore, Pakistan sent the first batch of exports from the Karachi Free Economic Zone to Kyrgyzstan, utilizing the Sost dry port within the framework of the International Road Transport (IRT) system.
Expansion of Transit Capabilities
The corridor connecting Bishkek and Karachi, which spans 3300 kilometers and operates under the Four-Party Agreement on Transit Transport, has already carried out the first mutual commercial supplies. Kyrgyz transport companies delivered minerals and textiles to Pakistan. It is also worth noting that Hemani Group transported a consignment weighing 23.9 tons to Kyrgyzstan, utilizing Pakistan's Single Window electronic customs system.
The new infrastructure promotes increased use of the IRT transit regime and Pakistan's Single Window system, which handles the electronic processing of customs documents for international shipments. In addition, Pakistan is strengthening the significance of the Gwadar deep-sea port as part of the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. This port, located approximately 400 kilometers east of the Strait of Hormuz, is expected to handle increasing volumes of goods moving along the new land routes amid the diversification of regional trade routes.