Pakistan and Turkmenistan are considering the resumption of direct cargo and commercial flights between Islamabad and Ashgabat to establish alternative trade routes and strengthen economic ties with the wider Central Asian region.

Bilateral trade between the two nations remains limited despite their geographical closeness. Official data reveals that total bilateral trade stood at just $7.05 million in FY2025-26.

Sabz Ali Khan, Director at the Directorate General of Trade Organization (DGTO), stated that direct air links will provide a viable alternative to traditional overland routes through Afghanistan, which have experienced severe delays in recent years. Enhanced air and multimodal transit connectivity are expected to help Pakistani exporters explore untapped markets across Central Asia.