Pakistan-Central Asia trade ties hit obstacles

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s trade with the five Central Asian countries weakened in the first 10 months of fiscal year 2025-26, with exports and imports both falling sharply after the closure of the overland route through Afghanistan, according to official trade figures cited in a report published on Wednesday.

Pakistan’s exports to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan dropped 8.62 per cent year-on-year to $147.992 million during July-April 2025-26, compared with $161.943 million in the same period last year. Imports from the region fell even more steeply, declining 87.96pc to $20.882m from $173.383m a year earlier.

Trade with the Central Asian states typically ranges between $400 million and $500 million a year through Afghanistan. Exports to the region turned negative after the land route was shut, although Pakistan has begun sending goods to Central Asia through Iran. However, volumes remain limited because of the longer distance involved.

The bulk of Pakistan’s imports from the region during the period under review came from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Among the five countries, export performance was negative across all markets except Uzbekistan.

Country-wise trade performance

Exports to Uzbekistan rose 38.27pc to $64.139m in July-April 2025-26, up from $46.385m in the corresponding period last year. Imports from Uzbekistan, however, declined 84.83pc to $10.756m from $70.918m. Uzbekistan has already put its transit trade agreement with Pakistan into operation and has started importing goods under that arrangement.

Kazakhstan remained Pakistan’s second-largest export destination in the region, with exports falling 17.57pc to $70.373m from $85.371m. Imports from Kazakhstan stood at $0.924m during the period under review, compared with $73.097m in the same period last year, a decrease of $72.173m.

Exports to Tajikistan recorded one of the sharpest declines, dropping 63.22pc to $9.332m from $25.377m. Imports from Tajikistan also fell substantially, down 79.89pc to $3.249m from $16.161m in the corresponding period last year.

Pakistan’s exports to Turkmenistan fell 28.64pc to $1.024m in the first 10 months of FY26, compared with $1.435m a year earlier. Imports from Turkmenistan also posted negative growth, declining 58.10pc to $5.327m from $12.714m.

Trade with Kyrgyzstan showed a mixed trend. Exports edged down 7.44pc to $3.124m from $3.375m, while imports increased to $0.626m from $0.493m.

The figures point to a broad contraction in Pakistan’s trade with Central Asia during the period, with the disruption of the Afghan route weighing on overall volumes despite efforts to use an alternative corridor via Iran.