Pakistan’s National Logistics Corporation (NLC) has delivered the first consignment of goods to Tajikistan.

Pakistan's Embassy in Dushnbe says an official reception ceremony for the first direct shipment of cargo took place in Dushanbe on April 1, 2024 within the framework of a government-to-government agreement between Tajikistan and Pakistan on transit trade.  

The ceremony was attended by Tajik Minister of Transport Azim Ibrohim, Pakistan Ambassador to Tajikistan Muhammad Saeed Sarwar and NLC Director General Farrukh Shahzad Rao. 

The ceremony was organized to note the importance of the first consignment of goods delivered to Tajikistan from Pakistan within the framework of the government-to-government agreement between Tajikistan and Pakistan on transit trade and the multilateral system of international road transport (TIR: Transports Internationaux Routiers  -- French acronym for International Road Transport).

The government-to-government agreement between Tajikistan and Pakistan on transit trade was signed during Tajik President’s visit to Pakistan in December 2022 and entered into force in February this year.  

This move reportedly demonstrates both countries' commitment to developing trade relations and expanding opportunities for business and economic cooperation.  

The arrival of the first direct shipment of goods opens up new prospects for further expansion of cooperation and development of trade relations between Pakistan and Tajikistan.  

Pakistan attaches significant importance to relations with Tajikistan and sees in them an opportunity to strengthen regional integration and ties.

Last year, a two-way trade between Tajikistan and Pakistan valued at 53 million US dollars, which is 60 percent more compared to 2022.  

However, both sides admit that this is below the full trade potential.

Tajikistan’s exports to Pakistan reportedly include coal and cotton and its imports from Pakistan include sugar, fruits, vegetables, rice and pharmaceuticals.  

The National Logistics Corporation (formerly known as the National Logistics Cell) is a Pakistani state-owned logistics company based in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.  It is considered as the logistics arm of Pakistan Army and operates under its indirect control.  NLC works under the ambit of Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiative (PD& SI) and functions through National Logistics Board.

The NLC provides transport and logistics services and has been facilitating the export of Pakistani products including perishable items such as bananas, meat and seafood to Central Asian nations and China.