A man sits next to trucks parked at the Torkham border crossing after Pakistan closed the border crossings with Afghanistan, following exchanges of fire between the forces of the two countries, in Torkham, Pakistan, October 12, 2025 Photo: Reuters
KARACHI:
Pakistan on Thursday partially restored Afghan transit trade after a 10-day suspension caused by intense clashes between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban. About 300 vehicles had been stranded at various places for about two weeks. Transit trade operations would initially resume via the Chaman border.
A detailed notice has been issued by the Directorate of Transit Trade (Customs), according to which the cargo operations will be completed in three phases. The announcement states that all routine transit trade operations will resume on a “First In, First Out (FIFO)” basis after clearing the backlog.
In the first phase, the nine vehicles sent back due to the closure of the border at Friendship Gate will be cleared. These vehicles will be re-weighed and re-scanned and in case of discrepancies will undergo 100% inspection.
In the second phase, the 74 vehicles returned from the NLC Border Terminal Yard will be processed. These vehicles will also be reweighed and rescanned and any discrepancies will lead to a full inspection.
In the third phase, the 217 vehicles currently stationed at the staging yard will be cleared and allowed to cross the border.
The notice further states that photographs of the movement of all returned or detained vehicles will be taken at the Friendship Gate and kept on record to ensure transparency and proper documentation. Recovery of transit trade is expected to provide relief to traders, transporters and cargo operators who suffered heavy losses during the border closure.
According to officials, security and inspection measures have been further tightened in the resumed trading operations to prevent smuggling and any form of illegal trade.
The Chaman border is considered the most important land trade route between Pakistan and Afghanistan, through which dozens of trucks and cargo shipments move daily between the two countries.
The resumption of transit trade is expected not only to restore smooth border trade but also to improve commercial relations between the two neighboring countries.
On October 12, Afghan forces opened unprovoked fire at several locations along the border in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan provinces. The Pakistan Army responded swiftly and forcefully, and its retaliatory action resulted in the deaths of 200 Taliban and TTP operatives.
On October 18, the two neighbors agreed to an immediate ceasefire during negotiations in Doha. Both countries agreed to end fighting and work towards “lasting peace and stability” in talks brokered by Qatar and Turkey, the ministry said.
