First Kyrgyz cargo reaches Pakistan via China, marking new trade route

ISLAMABAD: The first commercial shipment by a partner company of Pakistan’s National Logistics Corporation (NLC) has reached Pakistan from Kyrgyzstan via China under a transit trade agreement, marking a significant step in regional connectivity, officials said.

The shipment entered Pakistan through the Khunjerab Pass and Sost Dry Port, which have increasingly been adopted by several countries as a reliable trade corridor due to NLC’s efforts to operationalise the route.

Under the new corridor, landlocked Central Asian states — including Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan — will gain direct access to Karachi Port, providing a faster and more secure route for trade.

Pakistan is emerging as a key transit hub for Central Asia, offering a swift, secure and dependable trade route for countries seeking access to global markets.

Since 2024, NLC has been transporting goods from Karachi to various cities in Kyrgyzstan under the TIR (Transports Internationaux Routiers) system, facilitating efficient cross-border trade.

Experts say the development is significant as it establishes, for the first time, a modern and secure trade link that largely bypasses Afghanistan. The year-round operational status of Sost Dry Port is also expected to ensure continuity and stability in trade between China, Pakistan and Central Asian states.