Pakistan has temporarily halted commercial trade at two key border crossings with Iran, leaving roughly 2,000 trucks stranded and raising concerns over potential shortages and price increases of essential goods, including liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The suspension affects the Gabd-Rimdan and Taftan checkpoints, which serve as vital trade routes between the neighboring countries.
Shahid Rind, adviser to the Balochistan chief minister on media and political affairs, stated the closure is intended to enhance security, curb smuggling, and implement a more effective border management system. He dismissed circulating social media rumors about the shutdown and urged the public to rely on official information. Rind indicated talks between Pakistani and Iranian officials are progressing and expressed optimism that the border would reopen soon. He also highlighted that improved border management could facilitate better facilities for traders and promote stability in border communities.
On Iran’s side, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Bagcaei attributed the disruption to technical problems and confirmed that consultations with Pakistan are ongoing to restore normal trade operations, according to the Iranian state-run IRNA news agency.
The sudden suspension has disrupted the transit of commercial goods, including LPG, rice, and fresh fruit, with trucks reportedly stranded on both sides of the border. The Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry estimated that about 2,000 trucks have been impacted. The chamber warned that a prolonged suspension could lead to significant financial losses for traders and businesses reliant on cross-border commerce, recommending that companies temporarily halt new import and export transactions until the situation stabilizes.
While the Pakistani Ministry of Commerce revoked an earlier order suspending trade until December 3, passenger movement reportedly continues through the Rimdan-Gabd crossing.
A primary concern is the effect on Pakistan’s LPG supplies. The Gabd-Rimdan crossing has become a critical route for energy imports, with reports indicating that over 4,000 tonnes of LPG were entering Pakistan daily through this crossing. Traders and representatives from the energy sector have cautioned that extended closures could disrupt LPG deliveries to Karachi and other regions, potentially pushing prices higher in the open market.