Pakistan Lifts Nine-Day Ban on Iranian Cargo Trucks

Pakistan has allowed limited cargo traffic to resume across its border with Iran after a nine day suspension. The move comes as the two nations navigate logistical disputes and regional security tensions. Freight vehicles began crossing the Gabd Rimdan and Taftan checkpoints in Balochistan province on Monday, ending a pause that started on October 17.

Mir Naveed Jan Kalmati, president of the Gwadar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, confirmed that trade partially resumed over the weekend. Officials cleared shipments dated October 16 or earlier. Haji Noor Muhammad Shahwani, central president of the Balochistan Goods Truck Owners Association, said Pakistani exports of rice and bananas were moving into Iran. He noted that Iranian trucks carrying liquefied petroleum gas that were loaded before the closure were also entering Pakistan slowly.

The suspension of gas imports from Iran had caused shortages and price spikes in Pakistan. The country imports most of its energy from the Middle East and its economy is already strained by shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Rizwan Ahmed, a customs clearing agent near Gabd Rimdan, said authorities instructed agents to file declarations for stranded trucks. "Customs has given us the go ahead, saying, 'Bring in as much cargo as you can,'" Ahmed said.

Iranian officials argue that changes to import documentation are hindering the flow of goods. Reza Amiri Moghadam, the Iranian ambassador to Pakistan, stated on X that Tehran placed no restrictions on exports. He wrote that changes to the implementation of Pakistan's E-Form procedure left traders unable to dispatch cargo. A memorandum from the Pakistani Ministry of Commerce, dated October 16, withdrew a previous waiver for the E-Form, which records imports and bank payments. The change took effect immediately.

Security concerns prompted the initial halt. Gunmen attacked trucks near the Gabd crossing on Thursday. The military reported killing 10 attackers in operations around Gabd and Gwadar city. One civilian died in the incident. Balochistan recorded 131 of the 225 armed attacks in Pakistan during September. That figure represents the highest monthly national total in 12 years, according to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies.

The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintained that the country adheres to all applicable sanctions regimes. Spokesman Sajjad Haider Khan said he did not have direct knowledge of the situation on the ground. He did not specify whether the border was fully open or if United States pressure influenced the decision. The Ministry of Commerce did not respond to requests for comment regarding the paperwork dispute.

Analysts suggest the closure reflects a mix of security needs and economic pressure. Imtiaz Baloch, a security analyst, said the United States policy of maximum pressure on Iran likely influenced the situation directly or indirectly. He noted that no visible statement linked the closure to US economic policy, but banking channels and LPG trade companies could be involved. Baloch assessed that security, technical glitches, and the banking system all played a role in the disruption.