Special Correspondent
Islamabad, April 25, 2026: Afghanistan has raised concerns about the recent transit trade arrangements between Pakistan and the Kyrgyz Republic, bypassing Afghanistan.
The development emerged after first truck from Kyrgyzstan arrived at Sost Dry Port in Gilgit-Baltistan with transit goods bypassing Afghanistan a few days ago.
In an official communication, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce stated that recent shifts in transit dynamics, especially Pakistan’s suspension or restriction of certain trade routes involving Afghanistan, are unacceptable.
Afghan authorities said that previously used routes through Afghanistan were more established, efficient and beneficial for regional connectivity.
The ministry urged both Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan to reconsider the current framework and move toward restoring earlier transit corridors via Afghanistan. It maintained that such routes would enhance trade efficiency and strengthen regional economic integration.
Afghanistan also called for immediate technical and policy-level discussions to address the issue and explore practical solutions, emphasizing that sustained dialogue and cooperation are essential for stable and mutually beneficial trade flows in the region.
However, analysts note that prospects for restoring these routes remain uncertain due to ongoing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Islamabad has maintained that normalization of trade engagement is linked to the fulfillment of its key concerns such as Taliban regime’s failure to stop the use of its soil by terror groups in carrying out terror activities in Pakistan.
It may be mentioned here that Pakistan has also recently operationalised a new transit trade corridor through Iran to access Central Asian markets, enabling cargo movement via Iran as an alternative western route to Central Asia and reducing dependence on traditional Afghanistan-linked routes.