Muharram holidays: Iran shuts Zero Point gate
Zero Point, located at the Taftan crossing point, is the main trading point
QUETTA:
Iran has closed the Zero Point gate along the Pakistan-Iran border in Chagai district of Balochistan on Saturday in the run-up to the Muharram holidays. However, the international border remains open for legal trade and visit.
Balochistan Home Secretary Akbar Durrani also pointed out that Iran had shut down the Zero Point gate and not the border.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 2nd, 2014.
Iran has closed the Zero Point gate along the Pakistan-Iran border in Chagai district of Balochistan on Saturday in the run-up to the Muharram holidays. However, the international border remains open for legal trade and visit.
Zero Point, located at the Taftan crossing point, is the main trading point where commercial interactions involving thousands of local people are held.
“Iran had only closed Zero Point gate at the local level,” said an official. “The border is open. The trading gate was closed because of Muharram gatherings and processions in Iran.”
People from either provinces—the Iranian Sistan-Baluchistan and Pakistan’s Balochistan, at Zero-Point exchange goods and other necessities of life on a daily basis for their livelihood. They enter either side by using Rahdari papers. The rahdari is a document issued by the local authorities allowing free cross-border movement to people living on the either sides.
Balochistan Home Secretary Akbar Durrani also pointed out that Iran had shut down the Zero Point gate and not the border.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 2nd, 2014.