QUETTA: The government of Pakistan has issued a notification under the Transit of Goods through Territory of Pakistan Order 2026, integrating multiple transit corridors into the TIR system to facilitate import and export trade with Iran via Pakistan.
According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Commerce, signed by Joint Secretary (FT-II) Maria Qazi, the new arrangement will allow transit of goods from third countries to Iran through designated land and sea routes across Pakistan.
The approved corridors include key routes such as Gwadar–Gabd, Karachi/Port Qasim–Liari–Ormara–Pasni–Gabd, Karachi/Port Qasim–Khuzdar–Dalbandin–Taftan, and multiple linkages connecting Gwadar, Turbat, Hoshab, Panjgur, Naag, Basima, Khuzdar, Quetta, Lak Pass, Nokkundi and Taftan.
The Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomed the decision, terming it a positive development for regional trade and economic integration. Chamber President Haji Muhammad Ayub Maryani, Senior Vice President Haji Muhammad Akhtar Kakar and Vice President Engineer Mir Wais Khan Kakar said the step would enhance Pakistan’s trade connectivity with Iran and beyond.
They noted that the initiative would boost employment opportunities in Balochistan by strengthening logistics, customs clearance, warehousing and transport services. It would also increase revenue through transit fees, port handling and related services without burdening local industry, they added.
The business leaders said the formalisation of transit routes would help discourage informal and illegal trade, improve transparency, and reduce delays in cross-border cargo movement. They added that the availability of defined corridors would also benefit transporters by increasing freight demand and improving fleet utilisation.
They further said that in the current economic situation, transit trade offers Pakistan an opportunity to earn valuable foreign exchange without increasing imports, while also supporting regional development, particularly in Balochistan.
The chamber said the initiative reinforces the 2008 Pakistan-Iran transport agreement and could position Pakistan as a key regional transit hub if effectively implemented.
