Pakistan has officially suspended the Afghan Transit Trade, according to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The decision comes amid rising tensions and military clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
The FBR issued a notification instructing all customs stations to halt the movement of Afghan transit cargo through Karachi Port and Port Qasim. The suspension applies to all containers already loaded for Afghanistan, with authorities ordered to cancel gate passes and stop further shipments.
Officials said the decision was made due to the current situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, where cross-border movement has become risky. Containers waiting at Karachi ports will remain on hold until the security situation improves and clearance is given to resume trade.
Reports suggest hundreds of trucks carrying goods to Afghanistan are now stranded at terminals in Quetta and Peshawar. Transporters have been told to wait for fresh instructions. The suspension has also affected business owners and exporters involved in the transit trade.
The move follows days of intense clashes between Pakistani security forces and the Afghan Taliban near major border crossings, including Torkham and Chaman. Trade through these points had already been disrupted, with both sides deploying additional troops to the frontier.
Authorities said the suspension is temporary and will remain in place until security and administrative conditions stabilize. The FBR added that a review will be conducted before allowing any fresh shipments.
The halt in Afghan Transit Trade marks another setback in bilateral ties between Islamabad and Kabul, which have been under strain following recent border incidents and growing tensions over cross-border militancy.
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