Pakistan proposes Kazakhstan sea access via Karachi and Gwadar ports
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Pakistan’s maritime minister proposed using the country’s ports as a transit route for Kazakh cargo during a meeting with Kazakhstan’s ambassador in Islamabad. The offer covers the ports of Karachi, Port Qasim, and Gwadar, aiming to give Central Asian goods access to Gulf, African, and Southeast Asian markets. The proposal was made even as Kazakhstan pursues a terminal project at Iran’s Bandar Abbas port.
Pakistan’s Offer
Pakistan’s Maritime Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry made the proposal during talks with Kazakhstan’s Ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin. He said the ports of Karachi, Port Qasim, and Gwadar could serve as transit hubs for Kazakhstan and the entire Central Asian region. The route would provide access to markets in the Persian Gulf, Africa, and Southeast Asia. The two sides discussed simplifying cargo shipment procedures and establishing cooperation between relevant agencies. No formal agreements have been reached yet.
Iran Terminal Project
Kazakhstan is currently developing a terminal at Iran’s Bandar Abbas port, where it plans to lease 15 hectares of land. That route is intended to give Kazakhstan access to the Persian Gulf and onward to India, East Africa, and Southeast Asian markets. Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin previously said the Pakistan corridor would be a backup option, to be activated if the Iran route fails. In that scenario, trade flows would have to transit through Afghanistan.
What's Next
Kazakhstan and Pakistan are expected to hold further technical discussions in the coming months. It remains unclear whether the Pakistan route will advance given the security and logistical challenges of transiting Afghanistan.
3 sources
Pakistan proposes Kazakhstan sea access via Karachi and Gwadar ports
