Afghan Trade Rises Through Gwadar Port Access

A second Afghan-bound shipment via Gwadar boosts regional commerce

P.c. China Pakistan Economic Corridor

Afghan Trade Rises Through Gwadar Port Access


Gwadar Port continues to establish itself as a key player in regional trade with the arrival of the second vessel under the Afghan Transit Trade. Carrying 20,000 metric tons of Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertilizer, the shipment underscores growing confidence in Gwadar’s capacity to serve as a reliable maritime gateway for Afghanistan.

This development reflects the strategic value of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA 2010), under which the port first began handling Afghan cargo in 2020. That milestone involved a shipment of 16,000 tonnes of urea, which was successfully transported to Afghanistan in sealed containers, launching seaborne trade through Gwadar.

P.c. China Pakistan Economic Corridor

Since then, trade volumes have seen a notable upswing. Pakistan’s exports to Afghanistan between July and April of FY 2024-25 have reached USD 1.138 billion—an increase of 31% from the previous year—while imports from Afghanistan also climbed 14% to USD 557 million, as per the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan.

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, highlighted that Gwadar’s performance reflects international trust in Pakistan’s port infrastructure and aligns with Pakistan’s ambition to position Gwadar as a hub for regional commerce.

Tahir Khan, a senior journalist and expert in Pak-Afghan relations, emphasized Gwadar’s geographical and logistical advantage over traditional Karachi routes. With its proximity to Chaman and relatively low traffic congestion, Gwadar offers Afghan traders faster and more economical access to international markets.

He also linked this progress to the broader regional vision, noting that both Pakistan and Afghanistan have committed to extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Afghan territory. Gwadar’s role in this context, he said, is increasingly vital.

Further easing trade processes, Pakistan has now replaced the requirement of bank guarantees with insurance guarantees for Afghan-bound bulk cargo—particularly benefiting essential imports such as wheat, sugar, and DAP fertilizer. Pakistan’s Special Representative to Afghanistan, Muhammad Sadiq, described this change as a move toward simplifying trade and supporting Afghan businesses and consumers alike.