In a significant policy move, Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce has issued a Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, 1950, banning the transit of Indian-manufactured goods through Pakistani territory via land, air, or sea routes.
According to the official notification, the decision was taken in light of national security considerations and public interest, effectively shutting down Pakistan’s transit corridors for Indian-origin goods bound for or coming from third countries.
The ban applies to all Indian exports or imports transiting through Pakistan, even when routed through a third country. However, the ministry has clarified that any consignments backed by a Bill of Lading (B/L) or Letter of Credit (L/C) issued prior to May 4, 2025, will be exempt from this restriction.
With this directive, Pakistan has sealed its airspace, maritime waters, and land routes to Indian trade activity, including goods shipped indirectly through third-party nations. The ban reinforces Pakistan’s hardened stance amid ongoing diplomatic tensions with New Delhi.
Trade analysts view the move as a powerful geopolitical message that could impact regional logistics, particularly for supply chains previously reliant on Pakistani transit access for cost-effective routing of Indian goods.
This is one of the strongest trade restrictions imposed by Islamabad since diplomatic relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours deteriorated in recent years over Kashmir, water disputes, and cross-border hostilities.
