Pakistani ports emerge as strategic gateway for Uzbekistan’s foreign trade

ISLAMABAD: Amid growing geopolitical uncertainty and persistent disruptions in global transport and logistics, Uzbekistan has increasingly turned to Pakistani seaports as a strategic gateway for its foreign trade.

As a double landlocked country, Uzbekistan requires transit through at least two states to access the sea. In this context, Pakistan’s ports—Karachi, Port Qasim and Gwadar—have gained critical importance by providing Uzbekistan with the shortest and most cost-effective access to global markets in South Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region.

Key connectivity projects, including the Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan (UAP) railway and a multimodal transport corridor linking Central Asia with Pakistan, have significantly boosted trade volumes.

By the end of 2025, cargo movement through the UAP corridor exceeded 400,000 tons, reflecting steady growth in bilateral and transit trade.

Experts note that the use of Pakistani ports can save up to 10–15 days in transit time and reduce logistics costs by 20–30 percent, giving Uzbek exporters a strong competitive edge.

Despite temporary disruptions due to regional border closures, analysts maintain that Pakistan’s modern port infrastructure will continue to play a central role in Uzbekistan’s long-term trade and transport strategy.

The growing reliance on Pakistani ports underscores their transformation from transit points into a strategic logistics base for Uzbekistan’s expanding foreign trade.