Thousands of cargo trucks remain stranded on both sides of the Pakistan-Iran border despite the partial resumption of trade following a week-long closure. The disruption has affected importers, exporters and transporters, while restrictions on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supplies have contributed to shortages and rising prices in Pakistan.
Thousands of Trucks Await Clearance
According to Mir Naveed Jan Kalmati, president of the Gwadar Chamber of Commerce, approximately 3,000 to 4,000 trucks were waiting on the Iranian side of the border, while another 2,000 to 3,000 vehicles were stranded on the Pakistani side.
Authorities have allowed certain vehicles to cross to help clear the backlog, but normal trade operations have not fully resumed.
The restrictions followed a week-long suspension of commercial traffic at key border crossings, including Gabd-Rimdan in Balochistan. The closure left drivers waiting for permission to move their cargo and disrupted business activities on both sides.
Disagreement Over Import Documentation
The border disruption has also exposed differences between Pakistan and Iran over the procedures governing cross-border trade.
Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam said Iran had not imposed restrictions on exports to Pakistan, including LPG. He attributed the delays to changes in Pakistan’s Electronic Import Form, or E-Form, procedure, which is used to document imports and their payment arrangements through banks.
Pakistani traders reported that vehicles with paperwork prepared before October 16 were being allowed to cross, while other consignments remained delayed.
Pakistan’s interior and foreign ministries did not respond to requests for comment from AFP regarding the situation. The precise timing of a complete restoration of trade remained uncertain.
LPG Shortages and Rising Prices
The suspension of Iranian LPG imports has placed additional pressure on Pakistan’s domestic energy supply chain. Traders and industry representatives have reported shortages and higher prices following the disruption.
The Gwadar Chamber of Commerce warned that the interruption in LPG imports and the sudden border closure had disrupted supplies across the country.
Pakistan relies on imports from Iran for a significant portion of its LPG supply through the southwestern border. Delays in transporting the fuel can affect households and businesses that depend on LPG for cooking and other everyday needs.
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Traders Call for Full Resumption of Trade
Business representatives on both sides of the border have urged authorities to restore normal commercial movement as soon as possible. Prolonged delays have disrupted deliveries, increased pressure on transporters and left drivers waiting to return home.
The border route is important for moving food products, LPG and other commercial goods between the two neighbouring countries. Traders say a full reopening would help clear the backlog and allow businesses to resume routine operations.
Pakistan has cited security concerns for the temporary closure, while Iran’s ambassador has highlighted difficulties linked to import documentation. Consultations between the two sides are needed to address these issues and facilitate the movement of goods.
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