Pakistan Customs has officially launched its first export from the Karachi Export Processing Zone (EPZ) to Kyrgyzstan via the land route under the TIR (Transports Internationaux Routiers) regime. This landmark achievement opens a new corridor to Central Asia, passing through the Sost Dry Port and China, marking a significant step forward in regional connectivity.
Pakistan completes first land export from Karachi EPZ to Kyrgyzstan under TIR, opening new corridor via Sost Dry Port.
The shipment came from Hemani Group. It carried assorted oil, tea, henna, herbs, cream, and soap. The consignment weighed 23.9 tonnes and held a value of… pic.twitter.com/FC81ssyW0P
— Bloom Pakistan (@bloom_pakistan) April 30, 2026
The inaugural consignment, valued at $59,314 and weighing 23.9 tonnes, featured a diverse range of products from Hemani Group, including assorted oil, tea, henna, herbs, cream, and soap. The shipment was efficiently processed electronically through the Pakistan Single Window (PSW) system, following the activation of EPZ as a designated TIR station.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) proudly announced that the Directorate General of Transit Trade, Karachi, spearheaded the upgrade of customs systems in close collaboration with PSW, TIR operators, PNCC-ICC, and the IRU. This collaborative effort ensured that all necessary formalities, including electronic pre-declarations, were completed seamlessly to facilitate smooth transit.
This initiative not only enhances regional connectivity but also provides EPZ exporters with direct access to Central Asian markets, thereby boosting Pakistan’s trade outreach and fostering economic growth.
Recent government actions have further expanded options for regional trade, with the notification of six transit routes through Iran. Pakistani exporters are already leveraging this corridor to ship goods such as rice, kinno, and potatoes to Central Asian states as an alternative route.
Historically, Pakistan has relied on the Chaman and Torkham border crossings for overland access to Central Asia via Afghanistan. However, due to rising security concerns and cross-border militancy, these routes have been closed since October 2025, disrupting trade and transit to Central Asian markets.
In response to these challenges, exporters have been actively seeking alternative routes, increasingly utilizing shipments through Iran to access Central Asia, as well as markets in Azerbaijan and Russia, via China’s Sost border Kyrgyzstan corridor.
In related news, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan recently engaged in discussions with the Tajikistan Ambassador, Sharifzoda Yusuf Toir, to explore measures to enhance bilateral trade, strengthen transit connectivity, and deepen institutional cooperation between Pakistan and Tajikistan. This reflects Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening trade ties and fostering regional partnerships.
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