Pakistan has opened a new transit corridor through Iran to Central Asia

Pakistan has opened a new transit corridor linking the Pakistani port of Gwadar with Central Asian countries via Iran. The first cargo shipped along this route was a consignment of frozen meat destined for recipients in Uzbekistan.

The opening ceremony took place at the TIR terminal in Karachi, marking the official launch of the new route under the TIR (Transports Internationaux Routiers) system. The first consignment—frozen meat—was sent to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, using refrigerated trucks. The convoy will proceed through Iran, crossing the border at Gabd-Rimdan, and then continue on to Central Asian countries.

According to Pakistani customs authorities, procedures at the new checkpoints have been optimized to improve transport efficiency. Specifically, TIR operations have already been launched at the Taftan, Rimdan, and Sost border crossings, as well as at the port of Gwadar.

This route reduces transportation time and costs compared to traditional routes, directly connecting South Asia with the 70 million-strong Central Asian market and developing regional trade.

Pakistani authorities emphasize that this pilot phase marks the beginning of the corridor’s practical operation and has the potential to create a sustainable, multi-vector freight transit system.

Tags: Pakistan, Iran