Iran makes Rahdari permit invalid for travel to Sistan-Baluchestan province

Iranian border guards have deported dozens of Pakistani families even though they possess valid travelling documents.


Shezad Baloch March 23, 2014
An Iranian border guard looks through a pair of binoculars to monitor a border area in southeastern Iran. PHOTO: AFP/FILE

QUETTA: Iranian border guards have deported dozens of Pakistani families from Iran's Sistan-Baluchestan province even though they possess valid travelling documents.

The transit permit, known as Rahdari, had been issued by Deputy Commissioners under the 1956 agreement between Iran and Pakistan.

According to the 1956 agreement between Iran and Pakistan, people who obtain the Rahdari or ‘red pass’ are allowed to travel to Iran to visit their relatives living on the other side of the border.

Three years ago, Iranian officials had made changes making only Deputy Commissioners authorised to issue the Rahdari pass. Prior to that Assistant Commissioners and other officials were also allowed to issue the Rahdari to people residing in the border region.

Iranian border guards have deported around five families in spite of them having the Rahdari permit. They have returned from the bordering town of Taftan.

“Officials at the Taftan border make us wait for many hours. They do not allow women and children to enter on Rahdari. It seems Rahdari is gradually becoming invalid for travel to Iran,” said a Taftan resident Murad Ali.

He said he has been visiting Sistan-Baluchestan for the past many decades and his travel documents had never been questioned.

“Dozens of families had been asked to go back and we were among them,” he added.

Local officials admitted that it has become harder for locals to visit their relatives in Sistan-Baluchestan.

Several tribes and many families are divided by the Iran-Pakistan border and there is normally an exchange of goods of daily use between the people on both sides of the border.

COMMENTS (14)

Reza Tavakolian | 10 years ago | Reply

Nizam Wrote the following comment . I support his comment.

He Wrote Pakistanis should say NO to Saudi Arabia. Sadly the prime minister of Pakistan is a converted Saudi- Wahhabi and he will do any thing for them. The Saudis were their host when he was convicted of treason in Pakistani courts and was deported. Which was a kangaroo court any way run by a dictator Musharraf. The Sharif family feels obligated and will help the Kingdom they can. Also one of their daughters is married to Saudi Prince which gives daddy a good reason to be nice. The Saudis are evil empire and God knows what is there goal. They run a police state them self and want every country be anti-democratic. Pakistani should be careful. The weapons will be used against them by the animals they have in own backyards, i.e, Waziristan. Look out PIA and other civilian airliners.

alex d | 10 years ago | Reply

From an outsider looking in, pakistan has bad relationship with all of its neighbors. Afghanistan and india both accuse pakistan of supporting terrorism. The only neighbor that was friendly towards pakistan was iran. But now even iran is accusing pakistan of terrorism. Overall, any pakistani with a brain can see where the problem lies. Its the irresponsible pakistani government actions. They are corrupt and dont care one bit for the well being of pakistani citizens. Pakisran has the potential of being the next china, it has the resources and somewhat an educated population in the main cities. But the regime is just horrible and there is no hope for pakistan anymore.

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