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

GWADAR/QUETTA: Pakistan has suspended trade with Iran through the official Gabd-Rimdan (250) and Taftan border crossings, it emerged on Saturday. The Ministry of Commerce issued a memorandum on Friday, seen by Dawn , withdrawing its earlier order [No. 9(3)2017-Iran] dated Oct 3 with immediate effect. Shahid Rind, adviser to the Balochistan chief minister on media and political affairs, said the “purpose of the temporary closure of the Pak-Iran border is to address security concerns, prevent smuggling, and make the border system more effective”. In a statement on X, Rind refuted “rumours being spread on social media” regarding the closure and urged the public not to pay attention to unverified information. The Balochistan official stressed that the move was “necessary to improve the security situation and administrative affairs on both sides of the border”.

Rind affirmed that “progress continues between the high officials of both countries to resolve administrative issues” related to the border. “In the context of the current progress, the Pak-Iran border is likely to reopen soon,” he said, adding that a coordinated system was being established to improve border affairs and prevent smuggling. Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei also said the closure was temporary, Iran’s state-run Irna reported . However, he attributed the move to “technical issues” and said the two countries were in consultations to resolve the problem and restore normal operations. Separately, the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) has also advised its members and businesses involved in trade with Iran to stop placing new import and export orders until further notice. Hundreds of freight vehicles carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), rice, fresh fruit and other…