Pakistan’s ongoing tension with Afghanistan has led it to devise new trade routes that would bypass the former in reaching Central Asia.The first shipment of frozen meat, passing via Iran, has already reached Uzbekistan under the TIR (International Road Transport) system. The TIR corridor connects Pakistan to Central Asian markets, including Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan. Pakistan seeks to boost exports of rice, fruits, vegetables, medicines, and surgical goods through this land route. Experts say the land route reduces transit time, expands trade and opens new markets at a time when local industries face pressure from high energy costs. With an initial target of $1 billion in exports, the initiative is seen as a key step toward strengthening Pakistan’s position as a regional trade hub.
