Pakistan’s exports to five Central Asian Republics decreased by 17 % in the first half of the 2014-25 fiscal year, even as imports from the region increased and the expansion of the trade deficit. Despite high -level diplomatic connections and transit trade agreements, Pakistan’s trade with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have not yet reached its full potential.
Between July and 2024, exports to these countries decreased to 90.84 million dollars, a decrease from 109.47 million dollars in the same period last year. On the other hand, imports from Central Asia increased by $ 8.91 million, reaching 136.64 million dollars, compared to 127.73 million dollars last year. Most of these imports came from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
Among the individual countries, exports to Uzbekistan decreased by 19.56 % to 28.04 million dollars, while imports from the country witnessed a big jump from $ 4.18 million to $ 47.99 million.
Kazakhstan remained a higher export destination, although shipments decreased by 30.32 % to 39.43 million dollars, while imports rose to 72.76 million dollars, up from $ 0.385 million in only last year.
Trade with Kyrgyzstan also showed a sharp decrease, as exports fell to $ 2.18 million, and imports rose slightly to $ 0.30 million.
Tajikistan has emerged as an exception, as exports increased by 60 % to 20.24 million dollars, but imports from the country also witnessed a sharp increase, reaching $ 10.10 million, up from $ 1.43 million last year.
Turkmenistan’s exports have doubled to Pakistan, reaching $ 5.49 million, while Pakistan’s exports to the country increased modestly to $ 0.95 million.
The annual trade of Pakistan with Central Asia remains within a range between 400 to 500 million dollars, as many of them were directed across Afghanistan. While Uzbekistan has implemented the trade agreement through Pakistan, which helped facilitate the movement of goods, the broader commercial gains are still far -reaching.
Last year, Tajikistan imported Pakistani potatoes through the beating trade framework, but such transactions were not largely expanded. With the growth of the trade deficit, experts emphasize the need for more measures to facilitate the targeted trade to benefit from Pakistan’s agreements with the region and enhance exports.
