Pakistan activates new China-linked trade corridor for Central Asia

Pakistan has formally launched a new trade route linking Central Asian countries to its southern seaports via China, marking a significant step toward becoming a regional transit hub. The announcement followed the arrival of the first shipment from Kyrgyzstan, highlighting the operational start of the corridor. The initiative comes at a time when Pakistan’s relations with Afghanistan remain tense, with recurring border clashes and security challenges affecting traditional transit pathways. The newly established route provides landlocked Central Asian nations with an alternative passage through the Khunjerab Pass and Sost Dry Port, connecting them directly to Karachi Port. According to the…