Pakistan can earn $3bn annually as Central Asia transit hub: Report

Pakistan has the potential to generate up to $3 billion annually from transit and logistics services for Central Asian countries if it adopts a comprehensive regional integration strategy, 24NewsHD ^TV reported on Wednesday. 

A report, titled "Strategic Framework 2026-35 for Trade, Skills, Tourism and Transit Integration," was unveiled at a ceremony in Islamabad attended by Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui as the chief guest.

The study presents a roadmap to position Pakistan as the preferred southern gateway for the five Central Asian republics—Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan—across key sectors including trade, energy, tourism, skilled workforce, logistics and transit connectivity.

According to the research report launched by Impec Strategies, total bilateral trade between Pakistan and the five Central Asian states stood at approximately $525 million in 2024, a figure it described as far below the region's economic potential.

It recommends increasing two-way trade to $5 billion by 2035 through stronger economic cooperation and improved regional connectivity.

The report identifies trade, energy, tourism, human resource development, logistics and transit integration as the key pillars for expanding economic ties.

It notes that the next decade will be crucial and argues that timely policy measures could transform Pakistan into a vital economic bridge linking Central Asia, China, and the Arabian Sea.

Addressing the launch ceremony, Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui stressed the need to equip Pakistan's youth with modern skills and prepare a workforce that meets the evolving economic and labour market demands of the region.