Pakistan has notified six transit routes for the transportation of goods to Iran under an encashable bank guarantee, as thousands of containers destined for the neighboring country remain held up at local ports.

The Ministry of Commerce issued the Transit of Goods through Territory of Pakistan Order, 2026, to formalize the arrangement, with the new framework taking effect from April 25.

The move comes as more than 3,000 containers bound for Iran have reportedly been awaiting clearance at Karachi port for several days, amid disruptions linked to regional tensions and restrictions on Iranian ports.

Under the order, Pakistan has designated six routes for transit trade to Iran, connecting Karachi, Port Qasim and Gwadar with the Gabd and Taftan border points.

The notified routes are Gwadar-Gabd; Karachi/Port Qasim-Lyari-Ormara-Pasni-Gabd; Karachi/Port Qasim-Khuzdar-Dalbandin-Taftan; Gwadar-Turbat-Hoshab-Panjgur-Nagg-Besima-Khuzdar-Quetta/Lakpass-Dalbandin-Nokundi-Taftan; Gwadar-Liari-Khuzdar-Quetta/Lakpass-Dalbandin-Nokundi-Taftan; and Karachi/Port Qasim-Gwadar-Gabd.

The ministry said cargo movement under the notification would be regulated under the Customs Act, 1969, relevant rules and procedures prescribed by the Federal Board of Revenue.

According to the order, the arrangement applies to transit goods consigned from a third country and destined for Iran through Pakistani territory.

The ministry said the order had been issued under the 2008 agreement between Pakistan and Iran on international road transport of passengers and goods, as well as under powers granted by the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, 1950.

The framework defines customs security as an encashable financial guarantee submitted by traders or their authorized brokers for an amount equal to Pakistan’s import levies on transit goods.

It also allows cross-stuffing, or the transfer of goods from one container to another or through another mode of transportation, in accordance with customs laws and regulations.

The decision follows disruption in regional shipping flows after the conflict between the US and Iran, which began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 and has since paused under a ceasefire. The Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and gas supplies, has remained under close watch during the crisis.

Officials expect the new transit arrangement to provide an alternative route for Iran-bound cargo and help ease congestion at Pakistani ports.