Trade activities resume at Taftan border

QUETTA: After two months of closure of Taftan border due to the coronavirus outbreak, Pakistani authorities opened the border with Iran on Wednesday, resuming trade activities between the two countries.

“The trade activities resumed through Pakistan Gate and Zero-point trade gate at the Taftan border crossing,” said Taftan Tehsildar Zahoor Baloch confirming the reopening of the border.

He maintained the trade activities resumed but Rahdari gate is still closed. The border with Iran was closed on February 22 due to novel coronavirus outbreak in Iran while a large number of pilgrims were returning from Tehran through the border crossing.

Last month, it reopened for import of goods to different districts of Balochistan after the province witnessed shortage of dates and hike in its price in the bordering towns of Iran.

Soon the border town witnessed trade activities of essential commodities, including Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

Zahoor said the border would remain open for trade activities following the easing of restrictions while precautionary measures and social distancing will be observed.

The announcement of border opening brought cheers to the locals and the business community who relied on cross border activities to earn their livelihood.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 14^th, 2020.