Pakistan has taken a major step toward modernising cross border trade by installing advanced AI based cargo scanning systems at two key border terminals with China and Iran, significantly improving security, transparency, and clearance efficiency.
According to officials, the National Logistics Corporation (NLC) has deployed state-of-the-art scanners at the Sost Dry Port on the Pakistan-China border and the Gabd Border Terminal along the Pakistan-Iran frontier. The move is aimed at streamlining commercial cargo movement while cracking down on misdeclaration and illicit trade.
“The new system will greatly reduce clearance time and limit human intervention,” an NLC official said, adding that it aligns Pakistan’s trade logistics with global standards.
The AI-powered scanners can inspect a vehicle in just 22 seconds, far quicker than conventional checks. Using artificial intelligence, the systems identify cargo codes, analyse structural details, and digitally store scan records, strengthening accountability and customs oversight.
Analysts say the initiative will reduce container backlogs, support smoother legal trade flows, and strengthen connectivity along Pakistan’s key economic corridors as trade volumes with China and Iran continue to grow.