{
  "id": 3854806,
  "title": "MoC has no plan to deal with expected new restrictions on Iran",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/moc-has-no-plan-to-deal-with-expected-new-restrictions-on-iran",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-28T00:28:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40436814/moc-has-no-plan-to-deal-with-expected-new-restrictions-on-iran"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Ministry of Commerce (MoC) in Pakistan has reportedly lacking any concrete plan to address the potential consequences of United States restrictions on Iran, even though these restrictions could significantly impact Pakistan's informal trade and exports to the neighboring nation. While Islamabad is closely monitoring the evolving situation, the implementation of President Joe Biden's Economic D-Day initiative, which involves imposing secondary sanctions on countries involved in trade with Iran, has yet to commence.\n\nPakistan's trade with Iran is mostly informal, amounting to approximately USD 800 million annually, while formal exports are minimal. Rice exports to Iran typically proceed through the Gabd Border Crossing Point, and mango consignments generally pass through the Taftan BCP. In June-July 2026, around 1,209 trucks transporting rice and 1,121 trucks carrying mangoes crossed these border points. Security concerns persist in Balochistan, particularly along the Quetta-Taftan route, despite the use of FC convoys to transport cargo.\n\nPakistan has provided relief from financial instrument requirements for imports from Iran and cargo under CARS via the Iran corridor. Exports of essential goods, such as food, medicines, tents, and rice to Iran, as well as CARS/Azerbaijan, have been exempted from the financial-instrument requirement for three months. These provisions became crucial following the 10th meeting of the Pak-Iran Joint Trade Committee, where both countries discussed various areas of cooperation, including trade, customs, transportation, and other related matters. Customs authorities agreed to implement necessary arrangements for the management of road transit of goods through TIR Carnets and the online TIR system, ensuring 24/7 customs operations at border crossing points.\n\nBoth sides also aimed to enhance the operational capacity of the Gabd-Rimdan and Taftan-Mirjaveh border crossings while improving railway connectivity and air-cargo operations. While these measures could help facilitate formal bilateral trade, the prospect of stricter US sanctions on Iran could create challenges for Pakistan's trade through the Iran corridor, especially for exporters and traders reliant on border markets. With formal exports to Iran already limited, and a substantial portion of trade occurring informally, officials emphasized the need for Islamabad to evaluate the potential implications of any new US measures and devise a contingency strategy.",
  "summary": "ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Commerce (MoC) has reportedly not prepared any concrete plan to deal with the expected fallout of fresh US restrictions on Iran, despite the potential impact on Pakistan’s informal trade and exports to the neighbouring country. Background discussions with officials indicate that Islamabad is closely monitoring the developing situation though the implementation of…",
  "key_points": [
    "MoC lacks plan for US Iran restrictions impact",
    "Pakistan's informal trade with Iran worth $800M",
    "Restrictions could challenge border market trade"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}