Pakistan resumes Afghan transit trade after 10-day suspension

Pakistan has resumed Afghan transit trade on a phased basis after a 10-day suspension, following the “immediate ceasefire” agreement reached with the Taliban government in Doha, Qatar.

Around 300 vehicles that had been stranded at various locations are now being cleared, beginning with operations via the Chaman border crossing.

According to a detailed notification issued by the Directorate of Transit Trade (Customs), the cargo operations will be completed in three stages. The directive states that all regular transit trade activities will resume on a “first in, first out” basis once the existing backlog is cleared.

Read: FBR suspends Afghan Transit Trade amid border unrest

In the first phase, nine vehicles that were turned back when the Friendship Gate was closed will be reweighed and rescanned. Any discrepancies will lead to a full inspection.

The second phase will cover 74 vehicles that were returned from the NLC Border Terminal Yard. These will also undergo reweighing and scanning, with complete checks if inconsistencies are found.

The third phase involves clearing 217 vehicles currently parked in the halting yard, which will then be allowed to cross the border into Afghanistan.

Read more: Explained: Pakistan-Afghanistan border conflict

The directive adds that photographs of all returning or halted vehicles will be taken and archived at the Friendship Gate to ensure transparency and proper documentation.

Officials said the resumption of transit trade is expected to provide relief to traders, transporters and cargo operators who suffered heavy losses during the border closure. They added that security checks and inspection procedures have been further tightened to prevent smuggling and illegal trade.

The Chaman border remains Pakistan’s most significant land trade route with Afghanistan, handling dozens of trucks and consignments daily. Authorities hope that the phased reopening will restore smooth cross-border trade and strengthen economic ties between the two countries.

Also read: Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to immediate ceasefire in Doha talks

Pakistani officials said on October 11 that Pakistan had closed crossings along the 2,600-km (1,600-mile) border with Afghanistan. The two main border crossings with Afghanistan, at Torkham and Chaman, and at least three minor crossings, at Kharlachi, Angoor Adda and Ghulam Khan, were closed, local officials said.

On October 19, Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to an immediate ceasefire during talks in Qatar. The two sides agreed to meet on October 25 in Istanbul to discuss "detailed matters."

The Chaman border is considered the most important land trade route between Pakistan and Afghanistan, through which dozens of trucks and cargo consignments move daily between the two countries. The restoration of transit trade is expected to revive cross-border commercial activity and improve bilateral trade relations.