Pakistan can earn $3bn annually from Central Asian transit, logistics: Report

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Jul, 2026) EMPAK Strategies research report on Wednesday unveiled that Pakistan could earn up to $3 billion annually in transit and logistics revenues from Central Asian states.

The findings were disclosed during the launching ceremony of EMPAK Strategies research report titled “Strategic Framework for Trade, Skills, Tourism and Transit Integration 2026-2035.” Federal Minister for education and Professional Training Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui was the chief guest at the ceremony.

The report presents a roadmap to transform Pakistan into a preferred southern gateway for the five Central Asian republics Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan for trade energy, tourism skilled manpower logistics and transit.

According to the report total bilateral trade between Pakistan and the Central Asian states stood at approximately $525 million in 2024, which remains significantly below the region’s actual economic potential. The report has proposed increasing bilateral trade to $5 billion by 2035.

It identifies trade energy tourism human resources, and logistics and transit integration as five key pillars of economic cooperation.

The report states that the next decade will be decisive and that timely and effective measures can enable Pakistan to emerge as a major economic bridge connecting Central Asia, China and the Arabian Sea.

<?php /*?> <?php */?>

Addressing the ceremony, Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui stressed the importance of equipping young people with modern skills and preparing human resources according to the changing economic needs of the region.

He said that more than 60 per cent of Pakistan’s population comprises young people. In line with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision the government is pursuing a policy to equip the maximum number of young people with skills aligned with the requirements of the modern era, he added.

Former NAVTTC Chairperson Gulmina Bilal Ahmad said Pakistan’s skilled workforce needed to be connected with the requirements of Central Asian markets in the fields of healthcare, construction, mining, information technology, agriculture and hospitality.

She said skills verification skills diplomacy and bilateral labour agreements could create new economic opportunities for Pakistan and strengthen cooperation with Central Asian countries.

Aziz Ahmed from EMPAK Strategies said Pakistan needed to move beyond merely increasing its exports and position itself as the preferred southern gateway for Central Asia in trade energy tourism, skilled manpower logistics and transit.

He said Pakistan’s strategic geographical location could be transformed into sustainable economic strength through greater regional connectivity and economic integration.