Pakistan, Turkmenistan Consider Direct Flights to Boost Trade

Notably, the proposed resumption of direct flights between Pakistan and Turkmenistan could open a new channel for trade and business connectivity with Central Asia, alongside road and rail routes that traders increasingly view as unreliable.

Key points

• Pakistan and Uzbekistan already have a Preferential Trade Agreement and an Agreement on Transit Trade.
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• The Asian Development Bank lately approved a $400 million regional facility to modernise border crossings and reduce transport and logistics costs throughout CAREC economies.
• According to him, the model is at present centred on Karachi, and extending it to Islamabad, Lahore, Quetta and Gwadar could widen Pakistan's regional logistics network.
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Pakistan and Turkmenistan are considering restarting cargo and commercial flights between Islamabad and Ashgabat.

Meanwhile, the proposal comes at a time when trade between the two countries remains limited despite their geographical proximity.

Official trade data indicated that Pakistan exported concerning $1.18 million worth of goods to Turkmenistan and imported $5.87 million in FY2025-26, taking total bilateral trade to around $7.05 million.

Sabz Ali Khan, Director at the Directorate General of Trade Organization, remarked improved air connectivity could create another route for moving residents, goods and business services while strengthening commercial links with Central Asia. Gulf Country Considers Ending Ban on Pakistani Workers.

He remarked the existing trade volume additionally indicated room for Pakistani exporters to identify products in demand in Turkmenistan instead of relying on the narrow range of goods at present traded.

He remarked better trade facilitation, transport connectivity, market intelligence, business-to-business linkages and participation in trade exhibitions could assist Pakistani exporters tap this underused market.

For context, the importance of alternative connectivity has grown as disruptions on Pakistan's traditional overland route through Afghanistan have exposed the weakness of access to Central Asian markets.

According to the Asian Development Bank's CAREC corridor monitoring data, average road border-crossing times throughout the network rose from 6.3 hours in 2010 to 14.1 hours in 2024.

For context, the Asian Development Bank lately approved a $400 million regional facility to modernise border crossings and reduce transport and logistics costs throughout CAREC economies. Khan remarked such constraints produce multimodal connectivity increasingly significant for Pakistan.

He pointed to Pakistan's trade arrangements with Uzbekistan and remarked bilateral links with Central Asian states should be seen as part of a broader regional transit network rather than isolated trade relationships.

Pakistan and Uzbekistan already have a Preferential Trade Agreement and an Agreement on Transit Trade. It provide a framework for expanding commercial and transport links. Grave Reservations Over 15% Surge in Q1 FY27 Trade Deficit.

He remarked Uzbekistan's central location could assist connect Pakistani businesses with other Central Asian markets, but sustainable trade would require predictable transit rules, efficient customs clearance and alternative routes when corridors are disrupted.

Meanwhile, the same reservations were highlighted at the September CAREC meetings in Mongolia, where Pakistan called on CAREC Corridors 5 and 6 to develop into integrated economic corridors linking Central Asia with the Arabian Sea through logistics, rail, road and port infrastructure.

Rana Asif Khan, Founder President of the International Road Transport Chamber of Pakistan, remarked greater apply of multimodal cargo systems could further improve regional connectivity by combining air, road and maritime transport.

He remarked a lately introduced multimodal cargo model had created an extra option for cross-border trade, especially for shipments moving between different transport modes under a more integrated documentation framework.

According to him, the model is at present centred on Karachi, and extending it to Islamabad, Lahore, Quetta and Gwadar could widen Pakistan's regional logistics network. CCP Approves Fatima Fertilizer's Agritech Accord.

While road, rail and maritime routes would continue to handle larger trade volumes, he remarked direct air and multimodal links would be especially useful for time-sensitive and high-value cargo.

For Pakistan, the proposed Islamabad-Ashgabat flights would therefore matter more as part of a wider regional connectivity network than as a standalone solution. Stay Connected with ProPakistani. Obtain the latest international news and global stories wherever you prefer. Follow on Google Discover.

Taken together, the developments around pakistan, Turkmenistan Consider Direct Flights to Boost Trade point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.