The transit corridor linking Pakistan and Iran has officially been launched, with the first shipment dispatched to Tashkent. The inauguration took place at the TIR terminal in Karachi, marking the commencement of a new land-based trade route operating under the Transports Internationaux Routiers (TIR) system. This corridor offers a more efficient alternative for regional trade flows.
Pakistan Customs emphasized that the corridor will enhance trade activities and substantially cut transportation times, representing a crucial advancement in regional business collaboration. The initial shipment, comprising frozen meat, is being transported in refrigerated trucks destined for Tashkent. The convoy will cross into Iran via the Gabd-Reemdan border before continuing onward to Central Asia.
Customs officials highlighted that streamlined procedures have been implemented at the new border crossings to ensure smooth transit. Furthermore, TIR transit operations are now active at Taftan, Reemdan, Sost, and Gwadar, facilitating broader connectivity.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Tariq Rangoonwala, Director General of Customs, alongside other senior officials. They described this development as a significant milestone for Pakistan’s transit trade infrastructure, underscoring the Gabd–Rimdan corridor’s potential to enhance Gwadar’s strategic linkages and open up new export markets in Central Asia.
This initiative reflects strengthened cooperation among Customs authorities, TIR operators, and logistics firms, as Pakistan aims to boost transshipment activities through its Karachi and Gwadar ports. Officials also noted a recent increase in international container traffic at Karachi Port.
Overall, the new corridor is expected to offer exporters faster and more efficient transit options, positioning Pakistan as a pivotal logistics hub connecting South Asia, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
