• Move comes amid blockade of Hormuz, Iranian ports
• Reports suggest over thousands of containers destined for neighbouring country are stuck at Karachi port
• Gwadar identified as major future transit and logistics hub

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has notified six routes for the transportation of goods to Iran against an encashable bank guarantee, amid reports that thousands of containers destined for the neighbouring country are awaiting clearance at local ports.

To bring this into force, the commerce ministry has issued a statutory regulatory order, ‘Transit of Goods through Territory of Pakistan Order 2026’.

The routes designated for the transit of goods are: (1) Gwadar-Gabd; (2) Karachi/Port Qasim-Lyari-Ormara-Pasni-Gabd; (3) Karachi/Port Qasim-Khuzdar-Dalbandin-Taftan; (4) Gwadar-Turbat-Hoshab-Panjgur-Nagg-Besima-Khuzdar-Quetta/Lakpass-Dalbandin-Nokundi-Taftan; (5) Gwadar-Lyari-Khuzdar-Quetta/Lakpass-Dalbandin-Nokundi-Taftan; and (6) Karachi/Port Qasim-Gwadar-Gabd.

Some reports suggest that over 3,000 containers destined for Iran have been stuck at the Karachi ports for the past few days. The development comes as the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which was the route for one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supply in peacetime, and that of the Iranian ports continues amid the ongoing US-Iran conflict.

The commerce ministry said in its order that cargo transportation under the notification shall be regulated in accordance with the provisions of the Customs Act, 1969, the rules made thereunder, and the procedures prescribed by the Federal Board of Revenue. The order has come into force with effect from April 25.

It has been issued in pursuance of Article 2 of the agreement between the Pakistani and Iranian governments on International Transport of Passengers and Goods by Road, executed in June 2008, and in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, 1950.

The order states that unless otherwise prohibited, goods transportation has been explicitly described as “cross-stuffing”, which means the transfer of goods from one container to another container or any other mode of transportation, which shall be allowed in a mode and manner as provided in the relevant customs laws and regulations.

It further defines customs security as an encashable financial guarantee, submitted by traders or through their authorised brokers on transit goods, for an amount equivalent to the import levies of Pakistan, as provided in the relevant Customs laws, rules and regulations.

A shipper under the order means any natural or legal person by whom or in whose name a contract of carriage of goods has been concluded with a carrier, or any person by whom or in whose name the goods are actually delivered to the carrier in relation to the contract of carriage of goods.

The order “shall apply to the transportation of transit goods in transport units, consigned from the territory of a third country and destined for a place in the territory of Iran through the territory of Pakistan”.

Under the order, transit has been defined as the movement of goods across the territory of Pakistan when the passage across such territory is only a portion of a complete journey, which begins and ends beyond the borders of Pakistan. Moreover, a transit transport corridor has been explained as a route for use by a carrier for the transit of goods.

Gwadar Port

Notably, the order grants Gwadar Port formal status as a designated route for transit trade with Iran.

It identifies Gwadar as a future major transit and logistics hub, a development being described by experts as a “game changer” for regional trade.

Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) spokesman Jameel Qasim said the order gave central importance to the Gwadar-Gabd corridor due to its shorter distance and reduced travel time.

GPA Chairman Noorul Haq Baloch said Gwadar’s distance to Gabd was only around 89 kilometres, allowing goods to reach the border in just two to three hours. In contrast, the Karachi to Gabd route covers nearly 700 kilometres and takes 16 to 18 hours, resulting in an estimated 87 per cent reduction in transit time through Gwadar.

The GPA chairman said the shorter route was also expected to reduce transport costs by 45pc to 55pc, making Gwadar a more competitive option for traders and shipping companies.

Officials said Gwadar’s modern port infrastructure, including cranes, large storage yards, faster customs clearance and lower congestion, provided it with an edge over Karachi and Port Qasim, where delays and extra charges were common.

Economic analysts estimate the project could generate $24 to $32 million annually, while Gwadar may capture at least 25pc of Iran’s transit market in the initial stage. The initiative is also expected to attract investment in logistics parks, cold storage facilities and warehousing, creating thousands of jobs for local youth.

Behram Baloch in Gwadar also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2026