Pakistan has opened six land transit routes for Iran to facilitate the movement of thousands of stranded containers following a US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. The initiative, formalized through the “Transit of Goods Through Territory of Pakistan Order 2026” issued on April 25, allows goods produced in third countries to be transported by road across Pakistan into Iran. The move creates an official road corridor linking Karachi, Port Qasim, and Gwadar ports with Iran’s Gabd and Taftan border crossings.

The announcement coincided with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s visit to Islamabad, where he met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir. Pakistan is currently attempting to mediate an end to the two-month conflict between Washington and Tehran. Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan described the decision as a significant step toward promoting regional trade and strengthening Pakistan’s role as a trade corridor. However, Indian goods remain excluded due to a post-2025 air war ban.

Analysts said the corridor could reduce Pakistan’s reliance on Afghanistan for westward trade and position it as a key gateway for China-backed routes into West Asia, though security risks along the border remain a concern.