Pakistan, Uzbekistan agree to reroute transit trade via China
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Pakistan and Uzbekistan have agreed in principle to reroute bilateral transit trade through China, citing worsening security on traditional routes via Afghanistan and Iran. The decision follows the closure of Pakistan's main border crossings with Afghanistan after clashes in October 2025 and renewed military confrontation between Iran and the United States. The two governments are expected to formalize the change by signing amendments to their transit trade agreement during a visit by Uzbekistan's deputy prime minister to Pakistan on July 21.
The Revised Route
Under the amended Pakistan-Uzbekistan Transit Trade Agreement, the China corridor will become an official transit route. Cargo will travel through Pakistan's Sost Dry Port, cross western China, and continue into Central Asia. A Pakistani official told Pakistan Today the protocol aims to ensure uninterrupted movement of goods despite evolving regional security challenges.
Afghanistan Route Stalled
The shortest commercial route between Pakistan and Uzbekistan passed through Afghanistan and was expected to become part of the planned Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway. Those plans stalled after relations between Islamabad and Kabul deteriorated sharply. Pakistan closed its main border crossings, including Torkham and Chaman, following cross-border clashes in October 2025, and trade has remained suspended.
Economic Impact
Business groups estimated the prolonged border closure cost Pakistani exporters around $177 million per month. Customers in Afghanistan and Central Asia could permanently shift to suppliers using other regional routes. Pakistan had sought to compensate via Iran, but renewed military confrontation between Iran and the United States raised concerns about that option.
What's Next
The amendments are expected to be signed during the visit of Uzbekistan's deputy prime minister to Pakistan on July 21. It remains unclear whether the China corridor can fully offset the losses from the closed Afghan and Iranian routes.
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Pakistan, Uzbekistan agree to reroute transit trade via China
