Pakistan Notifies Six Overland Trade Routes To Iran To Ease Cargo Congestion

In a significant development affecting regional trade routes, Pakistan has formally opened six overland corridors to facilitate the movement of goods to Iran, amid an ongoing maritime disruption in the Strait of Hormuz and reported blockades affecting Iranian ports. The decision comes as thousands of shipping containers remain stranded at Pakistani ports, creating mounting logistical pressure on regional supply chains.

According to a report cited by Dawn, Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce has issued the “Transit of Goods through Territory of Pakistan Order 2026,” which designates six specific trade routes linking Pakistani seaports and inland hubs to border crossings with Iran. The corridors include routes connecting Karachi and Port Qasim with Gwadar, Quetta, Dalbandin, and Taftan, as well as multiple pathways through Balochistan’s interior regions. The order has reportedly come into immediate effect, allowing transit shipments from third countries destined for Iran to pass through Pakistan under regulated conditions.

The move has been triggered by a growing cargo backlog at Pakistani ports, with reports indicating that more than 3,000 containers bound for Iran have been held up in Karachi in recent days. The disruption is linked to escalating tensions in the region, including restrictions on maritime movement through the Strait of Hormuz — a critical global energy chokepoint historically responsible for handling nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas shipments. The situation has significantly slowed trade flows and increased uncertainty for shipping operators.

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Under the new framework, transit goods moving through Pakistan will be regulated under the country’s Customs Act of 1969. Traders are required to submit financial guarantees equivalent to applicable import duties before cargo can proceed through Pakistani territory. Authorities have stated that the system is designed to ensure compliance, prevent misuse of transit routes, and maintain oversight over goods passing through sensitive border areas.

The legal basis for the arrangement stems from a 2008 agreement between Pakistan and Iran on the international transport of goods and passengers by road. Officials say the current order operationalises long-standing bilateral commitments while addressing urgent trade disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions. The development also highlights Pakistan’s growing role as a logistical intermediary in regional commerce during periods of instability.

Economically, the move comes at a time when Iran is reportedly facing severe financial strain due to reduced oil revenues and currency depreciation. Reports suggest that Iran’s oil income has fallen sharply amid maritime restrictions, creating pressure on its external trade flows. For Pakistan, the opening of land routes is expected to ease port congestion while positioning the country as a critical transit link — though analysts caution that the arrangement could add diplomatic complexity given competing international pressures surrounding the region’s ongoing geopolitical conflict.

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