Pakistan-Tajikistan trade falls 69.6% as Afghan transit closes

August 29, 2026 at 11:25 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Pakistan's bilateral trade with Tajikistan fell 69.6% in fiscal year 2025/26 to $15.2 million, according to Profit by Pakistan Today. The decline followed restrictions on trade routes through Afghanistan, which historically carried most of Pakistan's Central Asian commerce. Pakistan's overall trade with the five Central Asian states dropped 50.6% to $219.1 million.

Key Facts

Pakistan's exports to Tajikistan fell 61.3% to $11.9 million in fiscal year 2025/26.
Pakistan's imports from Tajikistan dropped 82.8% to $3.3 million.
Pakistan's trade with all five Central Asian countries fell 50.6% to $219.1 million, from $443.7 million a year earlier.
Kyrgyzstan was the only Central Asian country where trade with Pakistan grew, rising 6.7%.
Pakistan's imports from Central Asia fell 88.4% to $28.5 million, while exports to the region declined 4.1% to $190.6 million.

Trade Decline

Pakistan's bilateral trade with Tajikistan fell 69.6% in fiscal year 2025/26 to $15.2 million, according to Profit by Pakistan Today. Exports to Tajikistan dropped 61.3% to $11.9 million, while imports from Tajikistan fell 82.8% to $3.3 million. The decline followed restrictions on trade routes through Afghanistan, which historically carried most of Pakistan's trade with Central Asia. Border trade point closures and transit disruptions severely hampered cargo movement.

Regional Impact

Pakistan's trade with the five Central Asian countries—Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—fell 50.6% to $219.1 million in fiscal year 2025/26, from $443.7 million a year earlier. Trade with Turkmenistan declined 61.4%, the second-largest drop after Tajikistan. Trade with Kazakhstan fell 54.2% to $104.3 million, and trade with Uzbekistan dropped to $87.7 million. Kyrgyzstan was the only country in the region where trade grew, rising 6.7%.

Import Collapse

Pakistan's total imports from Central Asia fell 88.4% to $28.5 million, from $245 million a year earlier. Exports to the region proved more resilient, declining 4.1% to $190.6 million. Pakistan previously traded about $400–500 million annually with Central Asian countries via Afghanistan, Profit reported. Countries are now seeking alternative routes, including through Iran and China, though these remain longer and more expensive.