Pakistan has partially reopened its border with Iran after several days of trade disruptions. However, the continued suspension of imports has raised concerns about a possible shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Traders claim that around 1,500 gas-carrying vehicles remain stranded on the Iranian side. The delay has raised fears of rising LPG prices in major Pakistani cities, including Lahore and Karachi.
The partial reopening follows recent diplomatic engagements between Islamabad and Tehran. These include Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir’s visit to Iran, as traders urge authorities to restore essential imports.
Despite the limited resumption of trade, uncertainty remains over when normal commercial activity will return. Pakistani traders report that restrictions on imports are still in place. Meanwhile, Iranian officials maintain that bilateral trade exchanges remain operational.
Pakistan Allows Exports While Imports Remain Suspended
Authorities have temporarily allowed export shipments to resume through border crossings in Balochistan. The move came days after commercial traffic was suspended on Saturday.
Officials in Kech and Chagai confirmed that exports had resumed. However, imports from Iran remained suspended, limiting the relief for traders and businesses.
The government has not issued a formal notification confirming the reopening arrangements. It has also not announced when regular cross-border trade will fully resume.
The initial closure left hundreds of cargo vehicles stranded on both sides of the border. The disruption affected goods transportation and created difficulties for traders who depend on cross-border commerce.
LPG Supply Concerns Grow Amid Border Restrictions
The continued suspension of imports has raised particular concerns about LPG availability in Pakistan. A significant portion of the country’s LPG consumption depends on supplies from Iran.
Traders fear that prolonged restrictions could reduce supplies and push prices higher. Lahore and Karachi are among the major cities where consumers could face the impact of potential shortages.
The reported presence of around 1,500 gas-carrying vehicles on the Iranian side has added to these concerns. However, the full impact on domestic supplies remains uncertain.
If import restrictions continue, businesses and consumers could face further pressure. The situation has also increased calls for authorities to clarify the status of commercial crossings.
Conflicting Reports Over Border Reopening
The border situation has drawn additional attention following Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir’s diplomatic engagements in Tehran.
Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency reported that border crossings remained closed until at least 9pm on Tuesday. The agency also questioned whether Pakistan had implemented the reported reopening arrangements.
According to Fars, Pakistani customs authorities had not reopened the crossings despite discussions between the two countries. Traders later confirmed that only export shipments had been permitted to resume.
No formal Pakistani government notification had clarified the status of imports when traders shared their accounts.
The conflicting reports have left businesses uncertain about the next steps. Traders are seeking clear instructions on when imports can resume and stranded vehicles can move.
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For now, the partial reopening has restored some export activity but has not resolved the import disruption. The timing of a full reopening remains unclear, keeping concerns over LPG supplies and prices alive.
