Business Recorder
ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Industries and Production has said the Karachi Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) has successfully dispatched the first export consignment to Kyrgyzstan via land route, marking a significant step towards enhancing Pakistan’s regional trade connectivity and export footprint. According to a statement issued here on Thursday by the Ministry of Industries and Production, the consignment, sent through a land corridor, underscores Pakistan’s commitment to exploring new and emerging markets in Central Asia. The total value of the shipment stands at USD 62,461.60, comprising 2,113 packages. The exported goods include herbal oils, herbal tea, henna, creams, and soaps—products that reflect the growing diversity and potential of Pakistan’s value-added exports. According to the EPZA Chairman, concerted efforts are under way to increase Pakistan’s exports in line with the government’s broader economic strategy. He highlighted that these initiatives are being actively pursued under the direction of the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan. The Chairman noted that such initiatives will not only strengthen trade ties with Kyrgyzstan but also open new avenues for Pakistani exporters in the region. He reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to facilitating exporters and promoting “Made in Pakistan” products in international markets. The development marks another milestone in Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to boost exports and achieve sustainable economic growth. The statement did not specify the route taken. Pakistan has been seeking to avoid Afghanistan amid mounting tensions that have led to major skirmishes between the two neighbouring nations since October 2025. Almost all of the Central Asian Republics (CARs) over the past few years have been actively engaged with Pakistan to enhance trade, for which a railway link is also under consideration, but the situation in Afghanistan has become a serious hurdle. Earlier this month, Pakistan operationalized a new trade route linking Central Asian countries to its southern ports via China through the Khunjerab Pass and Sost dry port, as it received the first shipment of goods from Kyrgyzstan. Recently, Pakistan has also activated a transit trade corridor through Iran, including routes via Gwadar and the Gabd-Rimdan border crossing. Pakistan has been seeking to position itself as a trade and transit hub for landlocked Central Asian states, with the government positioning such initiatives as part of a broader strategy to boost exports and integrate the country more deeply into regional supply chains. Through China, Pakistan is leveraging improved infrastructure and year-round access via the Khunjerab Pass to connect with Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan. Officials noted that routes to Bishkek and Almaty are not only shorter but also more secure compared to Afghan transit, with reduced delays and better logistics predictability. On the western side, the activation of the Gabd–Rimdan border crossing with Iran in April 2026 has opened a functional corridor toward Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The first shipment to Tashkent has already been dispatched, marking the operationalisation of the Iran route. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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