60-day relief granted for Iran-bound exports

The Ministry of Commerce has granted a 60-day temporary relaxation for the export of specified goods to Iran, easing the mandatory requirement of submitting financial instruments under Clause 3 of the Export Policy 2022.

According to sources, the decision, approved by Commerce Minister Jam Kamal, aims to address difficulties faced by exporters due to the absence of a direct banking channel with Iran. Sources stated that the relaxation will be limited to the export of specific items and willapply from July 2 to August 30, 2026. Exporters shipping bananas, mangoes and meat to Iran via air will benefit, while exports via land routes – including rice, potatoes, meat, gelatin, maize, sesame and animal feed – will also fall under the concession. Pakistani exporters shipping rice to Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan via Iran will also be eligible.

Under Clause 3 of the Export Policy 2022, all exports are ordinarily conducted in accordance with the State Bank of Pakistan's (SBP) foreign exchange regulations, requiring exporters to submit relevant financial instruments. However, due to the lack of a direct banking system with Iran, the government has relaxed this requirement for a limited period.

The government clarified that this temporary easing does not mean other foreign exchange regulations have been withdrawn.