Trade Route
The National Logistics Corporation (NLC) has officially commenced the delivery of trade goods from China to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through Pakistan’s land-sea route under the international road transport system, TIR.
This development marks a groundbreaking milestone in the operationalisation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and establishes a more efficient trade route between China and the Gulf countries.
As reported by state-run Radio Pakistan, the new route facilitates a shorter and faster connection for goods movement. The inaugural consignment consists of electronic equipment transported from Kashgar in China’s Xinjiang province to the Jebel Ali Port in Dubai via Pakistan.
The journey started with the truck making its first stop at the NLC Dry Port in Sost, located in Gilgit-Baltistan, where a ceremony was held to commemorate the historic event.
The new trade route has been designed for efficiency. Goods from Kashgar will reach Karachi via NLC trucks in just eight days. From there, the containers will be shipped to the Jebel Ali Port in Dubai by sea, taking an additional two days.
This route drastically reduces the transit time from Xinjiang to the UAE to just 10 days, compared to the usual one-month duration required via traditional sea routes.
The initiative provides significant advantages to the regional business community. According to an operations in-charge for NLC’s China Project Department, the simplified customs procedures and logistical efficiency have already attracted a growing number of international customers.
The official predicts an annual transportation volume exceeding 1,000 vehicle trips, reflecting the potential growth in cross-border trade facilitated by the route.
The Khunjerab Pass, which has long served as a bilateral trade gateway for importing textiles and agricultural products and exporting herbs and plants, has now been elevated to a key component of regional trade.
The NLC emphasized that the pass will remain operational throughout the year, ensuring uninterrupted trade between Europe, South Asia, and the Gulf region.
The CPEC initiative continues to evolve, with this achievement representing a major leap forward.
By leveraging the shortest and most efficient trade corridor from China to the Gulf, this new route through Pakistan is expected to significantly enhance economic integration and create substantial opportunities for businesses across the region.
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