Refrigerated cargo departs Karachi under TIR system, marking a strategic breakthrough in regional connectivity and trade diversification
Pakistan has taken a major step toward strengthening regional trade connectivity by dispatching its first export shipment to Uzbekistan through a newly operational transit corridor via Iran, officials said.
The consignment, consisting of frozen beef, left Karachi in refrigerated trucks and crossed into Iran through the Gabd-Rimdan border. The shipment is currently en route to Tashkent under the Transports Internationaux Routiers (TIR) convention, which enables streamlined cross-border cargo movement with reduced customs delays.
The development marks a strategic shift in Pakistan’s trade policy, offering an alternative to traditional routes that often face disruptions. By leveraging the Gabd-Rimdan crossing near Gwadar, Pakistan is effectively connecting its seaports with landlocked Central Asian markets.
Trade experts say the corridor is particularly significant for perishable goods such as meat and agricultural produce, which require faster and more reliable transportation. The route is also expected to enhance the commercial role of Karachi and Gwadar ports as key regional trade hubs.
The initiative aligns with Pakistan’s broader economic strategy under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor framework, aimed at boosting regional integration. Access to Central Asia’s market of over 70 million people is expected to help diversify exports and reduce reliance on conventional shipping routes.
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