Pakistan throws open emergency land routes to Iran as Hormuz blockade continues

3 min read Updated: May 1, 2026 04:51 AM IST This comes as blockade of Strait of Hormuz, which is responsible for the passage of 20 percent of global crude oil, and that of Iranian ports continue. (AI Generated Image) With the critical maritime trade routes shut in the Persian Gulf and the chokehold still continuing in Strait of Hormuz , Pakistan has operationalised six designated land routes for goods destined for Iran. The emergency measure was notified by Pakistan’s Commerce Ministry which issued a statutory regulatory order, through “Transit of Goods through Territory of Pakistan Order 2026” which formalised a road corridor through its territory for the passage of cargo backlogs. Trump admin, you have a problem. Your good friend Pakistan appears to have just opened six overland links to Iran, helping the regime bypass your counter-blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. This will help Iran continue to resist US pressure. Islamabad double deals America…AGAIN! pic.twitter.com/gbNZeuQy0G — Derek J. Grossman (@DerekJGrossman) April 29, 2026 Meanwhile, CNN reported that more than 3,000 containers, which left for Iran, have been stuck at Karachi and Gwadar port since the conflict between US-Israel and Iran started in West Asia. This comes as blockade of Strait of Hormuz, which is responsible for the passage of 20 percent of global crude oil, and that of Iranian ports continue which has soared the crude oil prices to $125 per barrel as per Brent Crude on Thursday. According to the order, the six routes that have been designated for Iran are: Gwadar-Gabd Karachi/ Port Qasim-Lyari-Ormara-Pasni-Gabd Karachi/ Port Qasim- Khuzdar-Dalbandin-Taftan Gawadar-Turbat-Hoshab-Panjgur-Nagg-Besima-Khuzdar-Quetta/ Lakpass-Dalbandin-Nokundi-Taftan Gwadar-Liari-Khuzdar-Quetta/ Lakpass-Dalbandin-Nokundi-Taftan Karachi/ Port Qasim -Gwadar- Gabd According to Pakistan’s Commerce Ministry order, under the notification, the transportation of cargo will be regulated under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1969. The order “shall apply to the transportation of transit goods in transport units, consigned from the territory of a third country and destined to a place in the territory of Iran through the territory of Pakistan,” Dawn reported. Notably, Pakistan’s notification was based on an agreement between Islamabad and Tehran signed in 2008 which allowed the transport of passengers and goods by road. However, Iran was not using the trade channel until now as it relied on its ports for trade. Story continues below this ad Meanwhile, Iran’s recent proposal to end the conflict in West Asia focused on pushing the talks on the country’s nuclear programme to a later date. However, the Trump said one of the major reasons US went to war with Iran was to deny the Islamic nation the ability to develop nuclear weapons. The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram © IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd Tags: Pakistan Strait of Hormuz