New Delhi: Cross-border trade between Iran and Pakistan remains disrupted at two major crossings, leaving freight vehicles stranded and raising concerns over supplies of liquefied petroleum gas, rice and other essential commodities. Tehran has attributed the interruption to technical issues and precautionary measures, while Pakistani provincial officials have cited security concerns, smuggling and the need for improved border administration.
The restrictions affect the Gabd-Rimdan and Taftan crossings in Pakistan’s Balochistan province. Pakistan’s commerce ministry withdrew an earlier October 3 directive through a memorandum issued on Friday, although the document did not specify the reason for the suspension, according to Dawn.
The Iranian foreign ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, described the interruption as temporary and said both governments were working to restore normal operations.
“Due to certain technical issues and the need to implement precautionary measures, cross-border movement and exchanges have been temporarily suspended,” he said, according to Iranian state media.
Baghaei said authorities from both countries were working to restore normal border operations. “The relevant authorities from both countries are in close contact, consulting and working to resolve the issue as soon as possible so that operations at the border crossings can return to normal,” he said, according to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency.
In an X post on Saturday, Shahid Rind, adviser to the Balochistan chief minister on information and political affairs, said the temporary restrictions were necessary to improve border security and administration. “The purpose of the temporary closure of the Pak-Iran border is to address security concerns, prevent smuggling, and make the border system more effective,” he said, according to an English translation of his Urdu statement.
Rind dismissed rumours circulating on social media and said senior officials from both countries were making progress towards resolving administrative issues. He expressed optimism that the border would reopen soon, adding that a coordinated system was being established to improve border management, curb smuggling and facilitate legitimate trade.
Stranded shipments raise trade and LPG concerns
Hundreds of freight vehicles carrying LPG, rice, fresh fruit and other commodities have reportedly been stranded on both sides of the border. Ayoub Miryani, former president of the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry, warned of substantial financial losses for traders.
“This closure will cause business losses to traders worth billions of rupees as more than 2,000 containers carrying goods are stranded at the Gabd-Rimdan border crossing in Gwadar,” Miryani told Arab News.
The crossing reportedly handles more than 4,000 tonnes of LPG imports daily. Trade sources warned that prolonged restrictions could aggravate shortages in Karachi and push up prices, although no additional nationwide shortage caused by the latest suspension has been confirmed.
Pakistani rice exporters also face potential additional costs. The rice exporters association of Pakistan warned that diverting shipments to Iran’s Bandar Abbas port would be difficult because of high maritime freight charges. Iran imported approximately 354,000 tonnes of Pakistani rice worth $430.5 million in 2023, according to UN trade figures cited by Arab News.
The restrictions have not halted all cross-border movement. Iranian transit officials confirmed that passenger traffic through Rimdan-Gabd remained operational despite the suspension of commercial activities.
Meanwhile, the Quetta Chamber said Pakistan’s commerce ministry had described the suspension as temporary, citing customs difficulties and incidents involving vehicles along the border highway. The chamber urged traders to remain calm as both governments continued consultations, but no confirmed reopening date has been announced.