A US national security expert has accused Pakistan of “double dealing” with America as the Shehbaz Sharif-led country reportedly announced six routes to transport goods to Iran. The news came as the US continues to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran warning the US that its naval blockade is doomed to failure.
Pakistan ‘trades double’
Derek J Grossman, a US national security expert, responded to the Trump administration on news that Pakistan had opened six land routes to Iran amid the US blockade: “You have a problem.” He said “six land links with Iran” could help the Islamic Republic bypass the US blockade.
He said: “Looks like your good friend Pakistan just opened six land links with Iran and helped the regime bypass your counter-blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. This will help Iran continue to resist US pressure. Islamabad is doubling down on America… AGAIN!”
The United States has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, while the Islamic Republic has maintained a grip on the strategic Strait of Hormuz since the Middle East war began in February.
Pakistan announced 6 land routes
Earlier this week, Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce issued a statutory regulatory order, the Transit of Goods Through Pakistan Regulations 2026, Daw said.
According to the order, the following routes are designated for the transit of goods:
2. Karachi/ Port Qasim-Lyari-Ormara-Pasni-Gabd
3. Karachi/ Port Qasim- Khuzdar-Dalbandin-Taftan
4. Gawadar-Turbat-Hoshab-Panjgur-Nagg-Besima-Khuzdar-Quetta/ Lakpass-Dalbandin-Nokundi-Taftan
5. Gwadar-Liari-Khuzdar-Quetta/ Lakpass-Dalbandin-Nokundi-Taftan
6.Karachi/ Port Qasim -Gwadar- Gabd
Meanwhile, it has been reported that more than 3,000 containers destined for Iran have been stuck at the Karachi port in the last few days.
The announcement coincided with a visit by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to Islamabad for talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and army chief Asim Munir, the latest in a series of diplomatic engagements as Pakistan tries to broker an end to the two-month war between Washington and Tehran.
