Pakistan Customs collected a record Rs14.93 billion in revenue from imports through the Khunjerab Pass during FY2025–26, up from Rs13.67 billion in FY2024–25. Meanwhile, exports through the crossing reached Rs2.8 billion, with Pakistani products reaching China and Central Asian markets under the TIR system.
The growing activity at the Sost Dry Port highlights the increasing importance of the Khunjerab trade corridor in connecting Pakistan with regional markets. Exported products included rice, cotton products, leather goods, garments, surgical goods, motorcycle parts, handicrafts, fruits and other locally produced items.
What This Means for the Chemical Industry
For Pakistan’s chemical sector, stronger connectivity with China and Central Asia can create opportunities across the industrial value chain. Improved trade routes can facilitate access to chemical raw materials, industrial chemicals, polymers, specialty chemicals, packaging inputs and manufacturing technologies, while also opening potential markets for Pakistan’s chemical-based products.
The corridor can further support supply-chain diversification, reduce dependence on traditional trade routes and strengthen linkages between Pakistani manufacturers and regional industrial markets.
The increase in exports also demonstrates the potential for Pakistani value-added products to reach new destinations. With the right policies, competitive production costs and efficient logistics, the chemical industry can play a greater role in expanding Pakistan’s non-traditional exports to China and Central Asia.
Stronger Trade Infrastructure, Stronger Industry
Pakistan Customs has also strengthened inspection and enforcement at the Sost Dry Port, including measures to control smuggling and implement the Import Policy Order 2022. Such measures can contribute to a more transparent and competitive trading environment for legitimate businesses.
For the chemical industry, continued improvements in trade facilitation, customs procedures, logistics infrastructure and cross-border connectivity will be essential to unlock the full potential of regional trade.
The Khunjerab corridor is more than a trade route; it can become a strategic gateway for Pakistan’s industrial and chemical exports into China and Central Asia.
Source: Dawn, August 23, 2026
