Pakistan suspended trade with Iran on Saturday through the Gabd-Rimdan and Taftan border crossings, with immediate effect.
The Ministry of Commerce issued a memorandum withdrawing its earlier order of October 3. That order had given an Electronic Import Form (EIF) waiver for imports from Iran. With the waiver gone, clearance rules changed overnight and commercial traffic came to a halt.
Pakistan has not officially stated a reason for the closure. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said the suspension was due to “technical issues and precautionary measures”. He added that officials from both countries are in close contact to resolve the matter.
Hundreds of freight vehicles carrying LPG, rice, fresh fruit and other goods are now stranded on both sides of the border. The Gabd-Rimdan crossing had become a key energy route, with more than 4,000 tonnes of LPG entering Pakistan every day through it.
Traders warn that a long closure could worsen LPG shortages in Karachi and other cities, and push prices up in the open market. The Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry has advised businesses to stop placing new import and export orders with Iran until further notice.
Balochistan’s information adviser Shahid Rind called the closure temporary. He said its aim was to address security concerns, curb smuggling and improve border management. He added that talks between senior officials of both countries were moving in a positive direction, and the border could reopen soon.
Passenger movement through the crossings continues as normal. Only commercial trade has been suspended.
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