What happened

According to Dawn, Pakistan has temporarily suspended commercial trade with Iran through the Gabd-Rimdan and Taftan border crossings. Pakistan's Ministry of Commerce issued a memorandum revoking an earlier trade directive. Following the announcement, the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry instructed businesses to stop placing new import and export orders until further notice. While commercial freight operations have stopped, passenger movement at the Rimdan-Gabd crossing reportedly remains active.

Key facts

  • Pakistani political adviser Shahid Rind stated the move aims to enhance security, combat smuggling, and reorganize border administration, dismissing unverified social media rumors.
  • Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei attributed the temporary halt to technical issues and confirmed both nations are consulting to resolve the situation. The exact date for resuming trade is not specified in the source; please check the official notice.
  • Hundreds of commercial trucks carrying commodities such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), rice, and fresh fruit are stranded along the border.
  • The Gabd-Rimdan route serves as a major trade corridor, traditionally facilitating over 4,000 tonnes of daily LPG imports into Pakistan along with substantial rice exports.
  • Alternative trade channels like Panjgur and Mand-Radig remain largely non-operational due to poor road infrastructure and past security incidents, including arson.

Why it matters

As reported by Dawn, trade representatives and industry sources warn that the suspension could trigger LPG shortages in Karachi and other regions, leading to higher fuel prices in the open market. Local business groups expressed concern that the prolonged shutdown could damage the national exchequer and jeopardize local livelihoods. The disruption occurs despite recent diplomatic efforts, including an August meeting between Iranian officials and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif aimed at expanding bilateral trade and extending border operational hours.

📰 Read the Original Report

Source: Dawn - Home · Published October 17, 2026 · Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash