In a historic development, Pakistan’s National Logistics Corporation (NLC) has begun its first multi-modal Transports Internationaux Routiers (TIR) operation, creating a trade corridor linking China with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through the Khunjerab Pass. .
Officials have hailed the move as a “good omen” for the country’s trade and logistics sectors. The TIR system is a global customs transit framework that facilitates seamless cross-border trade by minimizing customs interference.
NLC trucks transported electronic equipment from Kashgar, China, to Dubai’s Jebel Ali port via Pakistan. The cargo will take 10 days to reach Dubai, which will significantly reduce the 30-day transit time of the sea route.
“This achievement marks a major step forward in the operationalization of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC),” the NLC said in a statement, adding that the initiative highlights the usefulness of the Khunjerab Pass for year-round regional trade. .
Until now, the Khunjerab Pass, more than 4,600 meters above sea level, had only facilitated bilateral trade. It connects Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region with China’s Xinjiang province, and serves as a vital gateway for trade between South Asia and Europe.
The first TIR operation included a ceremony at the dry port of Sost, the shipment’s initial stop, before its journey continued to Karachi for the sea leg.
Local traders and leaders welcomed the initiative. Imran Ali, former president of the Gilgit-Baltistan Chamber of Commerce, called the development a “good omen for Pakistan’s economy,” saying it would boost regional trade and benefit local communities.
Muhammad Iqbal, president of the Gilgit-Baltistan Importers and Exporters Association, said the project could “change the destiny of the country,” improving local economic conditions and generating income.
Customs officials reported a record 9.5 billion rupees ($34.87 million) in revenue collected at the Sost dry port in the first half of the 2024-25 fiscal year, up from 6.5 billion rupees ($23.4 million) million dollars) in the same period last year. Anti-smuggling efforts also resulted in confiscated assets worth 600 million rupees ($2.16 million).
Experts see the initiative as a step towards transforming Pakistan into a major regional trade hub while boosting economic activities in Gilgit-Baltistan and Gwadar.
