Central Asian Transit Trade: Pakistan and Uzbekistan Open Direct Trucking Routes via Afghanistan

PESHAWAR / TASHKENT — In a major boost to regional trade diversification, the first commercial cargo fleet under the Trans-Regional Transit Trade agreement has successfully moved from Tashkent, Uzbekistan, arriving in Peshawar via the land route through Afghanistan. Utilizing the international TIR convention for seamless border customs clearance, the new corridor slashes regional freight transport times by nearly 40%. Trade ministries from both countries confirmed that the corridor will handle expanding export volumes of agricultural machinery and pharmaceuticals from Uzbekistan, while allowing Pakistani manufacturers to ship value-added textiles and surgical goods directly into the expanding Central Asian consumer market.