Thousands of Trucks Remain Stranded As Trade at the Iran-Pakistan Border Partially Resumes
Thousands of freight trucks remain stranded on both sides of the Iran-Pakistan frontier despite a partial reopening of overland trade routes. Pakistan suspended cargo traffic through the Gabd-Rimdan and Taftan crossings in Balochistan province on October 17, citing security risks and procedural changes. While limited crossings resumed over the weekend, business representatives report that a vast backlog of vehicles continues to stall bilateral commerce, impacting essential supply chains across the region.
Backlog of Vehicles Accumulates Across the Frontier
Mir Naveed Jan Kalmati, president of the Gwadar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated that the frontier is only partially open to clear the heavy traffic. According to Kalmati, three to four thousand trucks are stranded on the Iranian side, while two to three thousand vehicles remain stuck on the Pakistani side. Border officials are currently permitting only commercial consignments carrying paperwork or consignment notes dated October 16 or earlier to cross at the Gabd-Rimdan point, also known as Gate 250, as reported by Dawn.
Haji Noor Muhammad Shahwani, central president of the Balochistan Goods Truck Owners Association, confirmed to Al Jazeera that Pakistani exports such as rice and bananas are crossing the border alongside trucks loaded in Iran prior to the mid-October closure. However, authorities have not clarified whether vehicles carrying goods loaded after October 16 are cleared for transit.
Disputed E-Form Procedures and Banking Sanctions
Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, stated on X that no restrictions exist on the Iranian side, specifically regarding the export of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Moghadam blamed the closures on changes in the implementation of Pakistan’s E-Form procedure for imports from Iran, asserting that the administrative shift leaves traders unable to dispatch cargo effectively.
Al Jazeera reported that an October 16 Commerce Ministry memorandum withdrew an earlier October 3 trade order that had extended a waiver on the E-Form for Iranian imports. Meanwhile, Peyman Sanandaji, head of the Transportation Commission at the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, told Mehr News Agency that broader international banking sanctions on Iran’s financial institutions continue to complicate transaction processes for Pakistani importers, threatening to halt Iranian exports if restrictions persist.
Security analyst Imtiaz Baloch noted to Al Jazeera that U.S. economic pressure policies targeting Iran may exert indirect influence through international banking channels or corporate supply chains, though no official statements link the border closure directly to foreign policy.
Security Risks and Regional Diplomatic Talks
The operational disruptions compound existing security challenges in Balochistan, which recorded 131 armed attacks in September, representing the highest monthly national total in twelve years according to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies. Local administrators deployed additional forces to protect trade routes following an incident where unidentified gunmen targeted parked freight vehicles near the Gabd-Rimdan crossing, setting dozens of trucks ablaze, Dawn reported.
Amid the commercial disruption, high-level diplomatic engagements are underway in Tehran. The Pakistani military announced that Army Chief Asim Munir visited Tehran on Monday, his second visit to the Islamic republic in less than a week. Iranian and Saudi officials confirmed that Tehran would host discussions on regional security on Monday involving leading representatives from Pakistan, Turkiye, and Saudi Arabia. In August, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye entered into the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement, establishing a mutual defense pact among the three nations should any of them face external aggression.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Pakistan initially suspend border trade with Iran?
Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce suspended cargo traffic through the Gabd-Rimdan and Taftan crossings on October 17, citing security risks and issuing a memorandum that abruptly withdrew an earlier trade order waiving specific E-Form procedures for Iranian imports.
How many vehicles are currently stuck at the border?
Mir Naveed Jan Kalmati, president of the Gwadar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, reported that approximately three to four thousand trucks are stranded on the Iranian side, with two to three thousand vehicles waiting on the Pakistani side.
What shipments are currently allowed to cross the frontier?
Border officials are permitting only commercial vehicles and consignments with paperwork or consignment notes dated October 16 or earlier to pass through the Gabd-Rimdan crossing, allowing stranded loads of liquefied petroleum gas and basic food commodities to enter Pakistan.
What role do international sanctions play in the trade halt?
Peyman Sanandaji of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce stated that sanctions on Iran’s banking system restrict financial transactions with Pakistani importers, creating major operational hurdles for dispatching cargo from Iran.