Pakistan has identified six potential trade corridors connecting Central Asia, Europe and Russia through China, Afghanistan and Iran

[Fatman17]

We need Belt and Road Phase 2 but for that Afghanistan Railway network project must be completed - will take time. No quick fix.

Afghanistan needs security to complete such projects. Do Taliban really control Afghanistan .

 

[RescueRanger]

Afghanistan needs security to complete such projects. Do Taliban really control Afghanistan .

Agreed sir, Afghanistan is Kaput - ask the Talibs why they are getting their butts handed to them by ISK outside of Kabul.

 

[冖_冖]

Kazakhstan offers to fully fund new trade corridors | The Express Tribune

Move aims to boost Pakistan-Central Asia trade; Kazakh president to visit Islamabad in November

tribune.com.pk

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Kazakhstan offers to fully fund new trade corridors​

Move aims to boost Pakistan-Central Asia trade; Kazakh president to visit Islamabad in November

August 10, 20251 min read

ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: Kazakhstan's Ambassador to Pakistan, Yerzhan Kistafin, has offered full investment for constructing new trade corridors through China to Central Asian states. The initiative seeks to replace difficult existing land routes with improved connectivity, boosting bilateral and regional trade, according to an official statement issued Saturday.

In a meeting with Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, Kistafin confirmed that the president of Kazakhstan's will make a two-day official visit to Pakistan in the first week of November. The visit is expected to produce major breakthroughs in bilateral ties. Ahead of the visit, Joint Working Groups between Pakistan and Kazakhstan will be established in the fields of commerce and transport. Kistafin expressed Kazakhstan's strong interest in expanding bilateral trade with Pakistan and discussed the existing corridor from Kashgar to Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. He also proposed upgrades to the Karachi-Chaman-Kandahar trade route, which is currently in use.

Aleem Khan assured the Kazakh Ambassador to Pakistan of full cooperation, reiterating Pakistan's commitment to building trade corridors to Central Asia via China, Afghanistan, and Iran. He cited recent international conferences in Belarus and Iran, noting the role of regional states in promoting cross-border trade through land routes. The minister said Pakistan aims to develop an inter-country road network similar to the Karakoram Highway. Pending matters with the National Logistics Cell (NLC) regarding trade agreements were also reviewed during the meeting.

Kazakhstan, Pakistan Plan China-Linked Trade Corridors - The Daily CPEC

Kazakhstan has expressed readiness to fully invest in the development of new trade corridors connecting Pakistan to Central Asian States (CASs) through China, aiming to replace existing challenging land routes with more efficient and reliable connectivity. Kazakh Ambassador to Pakistan, Yerzhan...

thedailycpec.com

August 11, 2025

Kazakh Ambassador to Pakistan, Yerzhan Kistafin, conveyed the offer during a meeting with Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan on Saturday. The envoy highlighted that the initiative would significantly boost bilateral and regional trade, creating fresh opportunities for economic cooperation.

Ambassador Kistafin also announced that Kazakhstan’s President will pay an official two-day visit to Pakistan in the first week of November, a trip expected to bring notable breakthroughs in bilateral relations. Ahead of the visit, both countries will form joint working groups in commerce and transport to finalise key agreements.

The envoy discussed existing trade routes, including the corridor from Kashgar to Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, and proposed upgrades to the Karachi–Chaman–Kandahar route to facilitate smoother trade flows.

Minister Abdul Aleem Khan welcomed Kazakhstan’s investment interest and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to establishing trade corridors through China, Afghanistan, and Iran. He stressed the importance of building an inter-country road network similar to the Karakoram Highway to strengthen regional connectivity.

Citing recent conferences in Belarus and Iran, the minister said regional countries have a pivotal role in enhancing cross-border trade via land routes. Pending matters with the National Logistics Cell (NLC) related to trade agreements were also reviewed in the meeting, attended by Federal Secretary for Communications Ali Sher Mehsud.

 

[Hakwa Nadro]

Possibly, but the refugees who have been living in Pakistan have had opportunity of education, training and many have become successful business men in Pakistan. That infusion of refugees should hopefully increase the average IQ level in Afghanistan and maybe to some level of stabilisation and growth.

That is why the refugees should all be returned.

The Afghans would do well to not listen to India, there is nothing but more pain and suffering for the people of Afghanistan there. All of this started when the Afghans thought they could invite in the Soviets to use against Pakistan as some form of power leverage and look where they lead the Afghans. Inviting India back for the same reason shows they have not learnt from their mistakes yet and keep repeating it again and again.

( this is my personal hope - something has to change for the better for the people of Afghanistan i hope soon if the leaders start to make good decisions. I am not convinced though that they will ).

India was a big supporter of the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan and had "warm relations with the puppet government". So Afghans inviting, engaging or listening to india would be akin to "putting poo back in the butt" for Afghans.

 

[Fatman17]

Central Asian States: Pakistan has potential to raise trade up to USD10bn: PFC

LAHORE: Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) Chief Executive Officer Mian Kashif Ashfaq said here Sunday that Pakistan...

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Pakistan trade potential 10B$

 

[kambhakt]

Central Asian States: Pakistan has potential to raise trade up to USD10bn: PFC

LAHORE: Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) Chief Executive Officer Mian Kashif Ashfaq said here Sunday that Pakistan...

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Pakistan trade potential 10B$

May not be enough to justify multi billion rail and road projects.

 

[Pakistan Space Agency]

we have been hearing about Gwadar since 60s.. wait for another 30 years for it to materialize

We didn't have a deep sea port, international airport and a desalination plant at Gwadar in the 1960s.

 

[冖_冖]

Pakistan redirects Central Asia trade via China, Iran, reduces reliance on Afghanistan routes - Profit by Pakistan Today

Security risks, border closures, high costs push shift; China route via Khunjerab connects Pakistan to Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, while Iran route via Gabd–Rimdan links to Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan

profit.pakistantoday.com.pk

Headlines
21/04/2026

Pakistan redirects Central Asia trade via China, Iran, reduces reliance on Afghanistan routes​

Security risks, border closures, high costs push shift; China route via Khunjerab connects Pakistan to Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, while Iran route via Gabd–Rimdan links to Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan

Pakistan has operationalised alternative westward trade corridors through China and Iran to access Central Asia, marking a shift away from Afghanistan-dependent routes, Business Recorder reported, citing official sources.

Government sources said Islamabad is no longer relying on Afghanistan as the primary transit route due to security concerns, frequent border closures and higher transaction costs.

Through China, Pakistan is using improved connectivity via the Khunjerab Pass to reach markets in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, with officials citing shorter transit times and more predictable logistics.

On the western side, the activation of the Gabd–Rimdan border crossing with Iran in April 2026 has enabled trade flows toward Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, with the first shipment to Tashkent already dispatched.

Officials said that while routes via Iran may be slightly longer, they offer more consistent operations, lower insurance costs and fewer informal charges compared to Afghan transit.

Authorities noted that routes through Afghanistan, including Torkham and Chaman, have faced repeated disruptions, making them less reliable for commercial trade.

The shift is supported by ongoing infrastructure development, including the Karachi–Peshawar ML-1 railway upgrade, expansion under CPEC Phase II, improvements to the Karakoram Highway and development of Gwadar Port.

Officials said these projects, along with expansion of dry ports and logistics systems, aim to integrate the new corridors into a broader trade network.

Policy planners described the move as part of efforts to improve trade continuity, diversify routes and reduce dependence on a single transit pathway.

While Afghan routes remain in use, officials indicated their role is expected to decline unless operational conditions improve.

 

[Samurai]

Central Asian states or the 'stan countries have the potential to become a regional power that could rival Europe but unfortunately Afghanistan is the biggest spoiler and India wants to get itself involved through them.

 

[hasssanali8998]

Central Asian states or the 'stan countries have the potential to become a regional power that could rival Europe but unfortunately Afghanistan is the biggest spoiler and India wants to get itself involved through them.

we have to unite all the stans against afghanistan , take a leading role in the stan region

 

[Cash gk]

Last time I checked, someone wanted to buy cheap oil from Russia and now he is dying in prison. This guy wants Shehbaz Sharif to die in prison or crash? Lol. He simply cannot be Shabaz shrif,s friend and This whole plan look like designed by maryam to remove shabaz lol

 

[Fatman17]

Kyrgyz Shipment Enters Pakistan Via China Route for the First Time

Pakistan has received its first shipment from Central Asia through a new trade route via China, marking a major shift as goods arrive while bypassing

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[冖_冖]

https://kun.uz/en/news/2026/07/21/uzbekistan-pakistan-agree-to-expand-transit-trade-routes-through-china

17:43 / 21.07.20261,3084 min read

Uzbekistan, Pakistan agree to expand transit trade routes through China​

According to a Pakistani media, the two countries are expected to sign a protocol amending the Pakistan–Uzbekistan Transit Trade Agreement during the visit of Uzbekistan's Deputy Prime Minister to Pakistan on July 21. The revised protocol will formally incorporate the China corridor into the agreement, allowing cargo to move through Pakistan's Sost Dry Port, western China and onward to Central Asia.

According to Pakistani officials cited by the media, the amendment is intended to diversify transit options and ensure uninterrupted trade despite the changing regional security environment.

Under the revised framework, Pakistan will use the China corridor as an alternative route for exports destined for Central Asian countries, including Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan, in turn, will retain access to Pakistan's seaports through the updated transit arrangement.

 

[peagle]

@13 Assassins

Pakistan needs to forge closer economic ties with the central Asian nations, the 'Stans'.

What are you going to buy from them? More importantly what are you going to sell to them?

Regards

Goods and services. I thought it was obvious.

 

[冖_冖]

Zardari’s Rare Kyrgyzstan Visit Opens Pakistan’s Central Asian Route to the Sea

President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to Kyrgyzstan, the first by a Pakistani head of state in 21 years, should not be viewed as a ceremonial diplomatic engagement. It reflects Islamabad’s growing determination to translate its “Vision Central Asia” policy into a practical system of trade...

caspianpost.com

President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to Kyrgyzstan, the first by a Pakistani head of state in 21 years, should not be viewed as a ceremonial diplomatic engagement. It reflects Islamabad’s growing determination to translate its “Vision Central Asia” policy into a practical system of trade corridors, energy links and strategic partnerships.

Pakistan’s Central Asian strategy: Can Islamabad become the region’s southern gateway? | News.az

President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to Kyrgyzstan reflects a broader shift in Pakistan’s foreign policy — from traditional diplomatic...

news.az

Pakistan’s Central Asian strategy: Can Islamabad become the region’s southern gateway?

Ambassador Kistafin calls rail, road connectivity vital for expanding Pakistan-Central Asia trade

Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan H.E Yerzhan Kistafin on Monday has underscored the importance of rail and road connectivity for enhancing trade between Pakistan and Central Asia, saying that future cooperation between Pakistan and Kazakhstan in the energy sector would also depend on the...

www.app.com.pk

Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan H.E Yerzhan Kistafin on Monday has underscored the importance of rail and road connectivity for enhancing trade between Pakistan and Central Asia, saying that future cooperation between Pakistan and Kazakhstan in the energy sector would also depend on the development of regional infrastructure.