With Pakistan’s TIR usage surging by 200% in 2025, IRU moderated two key panels at the latest Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Institute Research Conference. The discussions focused on operational hurdles and strategies to further raise regional transit efficiency.
The Fifth CAREC Institute Annual Research Conference, held recently in Pakistan’s capital of Islamabad, brought together over 200 government officials, academics, business leaders, and development partners.
Opening the event, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, highlighted the importance of regional cooperation and the TIR system as a key enabler of trade.
IRU Director of TIR and Transit Tatiana Rey-Bellet moderated two high-level panels on the region’s connectivity and harmonised transit tools like TIR. She underscored Pakistan’s strategic role in linking the CAREC region with the Middle East and beyond.
IRU member the National Logistics Corporation (NLC) stressed that secure, timely deliveries are only possible with TIR, while participants from the public and private sectors called for enhanced reloading capabilities at the Port of Karachi to support trade flows to Central Asia.
A standout example came from Gerry’s Logistics, which presented a multimodal TIR route combining sea, land and air. Pakistani goods reached the Port of Jebel Ali, crossing the border with Saudi Arabia in just three hours, before being flown to Eastern Europe – demonstrating the speed and reliability of TIR.
On the sidelines, IRU and its member PNC-ICC met with Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce and Federal Board of Revenue to address challenges faced by transport companies that operate transit routes connecting Pakistan to Central Asia and China. It was agreed to form a joint working group to advance measures for improving regional connectivity and strengthening Pakistan’s role.
Tatiana Rey-Bellet also explored opportunities with NLC to further expand TIR operations. Pakistan is leveraging TIR to activate new corridors linking South Asia with Central and West Asia, China, and the Middle East.
