Pakistan suspends Iran trade corridors over 'security, smuggling concerns'

Pakistan has temporarily halted trade through the official Gabd-Rimdan and Taftan border crossings with Iran, the Ministry of Commerce announced on Friday, according to Dawn. The suspension aims to tackle security issues, curb smuggling, and enhance the overall effectiveness of the border system, according to Shahid Rind, an adviser to the Balochistan chief minister on media and political affairs.

Rind dismissed rumors circulating on social media and called for the public to disregard unverified information. He also stated that progress continues between Pakistani and Iranian officials to resolve administrative matters related to the border, suggesting the crossings may reopen soon. The Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) advised its members not to place new import and export orders with Iran until further notice.

Hundreds of freight vehicles carrying LPG, rice, fresh fruit, and other essential goods have been stranded on both sides of the border. The Gabd-Rimdan crossing, which supplies over 4,000 tonnes of LPG daily to Pakistan, has become a vital route for meeting the country's energy needs. Exports of Pakistani products, particularly rice, have also surged, generating millions of dollars in foreign exchange.

The closure could exacerbate LPG shortages in Karachi and other regions, potentially causing supply disruptions, higher prices, and an energy crisis. Despite efforts to facilitate border trade since March, including easing customs procedures and formalizing Taftan as a customs station, the ongoing US-Iran conflict has strained regional economies and border trade.