GILGIT: The first consignment of goods was sent to Kazakhstan from Sost Dry Port on Friday under the transit trade through Khunjerab Pass.

To mark the first transit trade initiative, a ceremony was held at the Silk Route Dry Port, Sost, under the Quadrilateral Traffic in Transit Agreement.

Ambassador of Kaza­kh­s­tan to Pakistan Yerzhan Kistafin, GB Minister of Commerce retired Col Ubaidullah, GB Collector of Customs Syed Fawad Ali Shah, Home secretary Rana Mohammad Saleem Afzal, Commissioner of Gil­git and Deputy Com­missioner of Hunza and representatives of the business community attended the ceremony.

According to a press release, Pakistan Cus­toms facilitated the first consignment to Kazakhstan.

Transiting through China, the consignment will reach Almaty, Kaza­khstan.

This transit route will substantially reduce time and cost of trade between Pakistan and Kazakhstan and open new avenues of regional trade among Pakistan, China and Central Asian Republics (CARs).

An official of the Pakistan Customs told Dawn that the first transit trade shipment for Kazakhstan came from Karachi, adding that it would take 10 days to reach Kazakhstan from Karachi.

The opening of this route will increase Pakistan’s exports to other countries.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2023