Pakistan Suspends Trade with Iran via Gabd-Rimdan and Taftan Border Crossings for Security Reasons

Pakistan decided to suspend commercial exchange through the Gabd Rimdan and Taftan border crossings with Iran in Balochistan province, due to security reasons and for anti-smuggling purposes.

This measure resulted in the accumulation of hundreds of trucks loaded with liquefied gas, rice, and other essential goods along the border strip, raising growing concerns about fuel supply stability and potential price increases in local markets.

While the Pakistani Ministry of Commerce issued the suspension decision on Friday, Iranian authorities attributed this stoppage to purely technical obstacles.

For his part, Shahid Rind, Media Advisor to the Chief Minister of Balochistan Province, confirmed that this step comes as a necessary measure to improve security and administrative conditions on both sides of the border, noting joint talks between officials from both countries to overcome these obstacles and return to normal commercial operations.

Also, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghai described the closure as a temporary measure linked to technical difficulties, according to reports by the official Iranian News Agency.

Economically, the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced the halt of commercial activities across this border, advising companies to avoid submitting any new import or export applications at this time.

According to Arab News, more than 2,000 containers piled up at the Gabd Rimdan crossing alone, prompting traders to warn of suffering heavy financial losses due to this disruption.

In contrast, local news reports indicated that passenger traffic through the Rimdan Gabd crossing continues despite the halt in commercial shipping.

This crossing gains strategic importance as it is a main passage for Pakistan's energy imports, where more than 4,000 tons of liquefied gas are transported daily through it, as reported by Dawn newspaper.

Observers fear that this disruption will lead to reduced fuel supplies and increased prices in Pakistan's open market, especially since trade movement through the Taftan crossing was already suffering from frequent interruptions due to ongoing security disturbances in Balochistan province.

Source: "The Guardian"