Calm urged amid Iran border closure

Quetta Chamber cites assurances of a temporary shutdown

QUETTA:

The Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Sunday urged traders and people affected by the closure of the Pakistan-Iran border not to believe any "negative propaganda", expressing hope that the situation would improve soon.

The appeal came as cross-border commercial activities between Pakistan and Iran were suddenly halted at the Taftan border crossing on Saturday following the unexpected closure of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) immigration gate and withdrawal of an important import waiver, leaving traders concerned over potential multi-million-rupee financial losses.

According to a statement issued by the president of the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the president, while in contact with senior officials regarding the closure of the borders adjoining Iran, informed the Ministry of Commerce about the difficulties being faced by traders, importers and other businesses.

The statement said the Ministry of Commerce assured the chamber that the border closure was on technical and temporary grounds, with the sole purpose of addressing incidents involving vehicles on the Pakistan-Iran highway in recent days and issues faced at customs.

The chamber urged all traders and people affected by the border closures to remain hopeful that the situation would improve soon and not to believe any "baseless negative propaganda" in this regard.

Sources said the immigration gate at Taftan - a vital commercial artery connecting the two neighbouring countries - was closed on the instructions of senior officials in Islamabad.

However, the exact reasons behind the decision remain undisclosed, and authorities have yet to issue an official notification explaining the suspension or providing a timeline for reopening.

The border closure coincided with regulatory developments from the Ministry of Commerce.