Pakistan has resumed Afghan transit trade after a 10-day suspension triggered by armed clashes between Pakistani and Afghan Taliban forces along the border. The suspension, which began on 13 October 2025, left nearly 300 vehicles stranded at various checkpoints. Trade has now restarted under a phased plan at the Friendship Gate in Chaman, Balochistan—a key crossing point connecting Pakistan with Afghanistan’s Spin Boldak region.
The closure was prompted by escalating border clashes and increased tensions between the two sides. This led to the temporary shutdown of major crossing points along the 2,600-km frontier, including Torkham, Kharlachi, Angoor Adda, and Ghulam Khan. The suspension disrupted Afghanistan’s import routes for fuel, food, and essential goods, deeply affecting traders and transporters on both sides of the border.
Following a ceasefire agreement in Qatar on 19 October 2025, Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to gradually restore trade operations. The resumption process is being conducted in three structured phases to ensure transparency and order:
• Phase 1: Re-inspection of nine trucks that were turned back when the Friendship Gate was closed. These vehicles are being reweighed, rescanned, and photographed for verification.
• Phase 2: Clearance of 74 vehicles from the NLC Border Terminal Yard after full inspection.
• Phase 3: Processing of 217 trucks parked in the halting yard for crossing into Afghanistan.
The Directorate of Transit Trade has instructed that clearance proceed on a first-in, first-out basis to efficiently manage the backlog.
The Friendship Gate serves as more than a border checkpoint—it stands as a symbol of cross-border cooperation and mutual dependence. Located between Chaman (Pakistan) and Spin Boldak (Afghanistan), it handles dozens of consignments daily and supports both trade and people-to-people contact. Its closure disrupts livelihoods on both sides, while its reopening helps revive commerce, employment, and regional connectivity.
To ensure transparent trade operations, Pakistan’s Customs and Border Authorities have introduced stricter security protocols, including:
• Mandatory re-scanning and reweighing of all vehicles.
• Photographic documentation of trucks for record-keeping and verification.
• Closer coordination among Customs, NLC, and security forces to prevent smuggling and illegal trade.
The resumption of transit trade is expected to ease economic pressure on traders, transporters, and logistics operators who suffered significant losses during the closure. It also holds diplomatic value, helping to stabilize Pakistan–Afghanistan relations that have long been strained by border tensions and security concerns.
Both sides are scheduled to meet again in Istanbul on 25 October 2025 to discuss a long-term trade and border cooperation mechanism aimed at preventing future disruptions.
Afghanistan relies heavily on Pakistani ports—Karachi and Gwadar—for access to global markets. For Pakistan, transit trade generates revenue and reinforces its strategic role as a regional trade hub connecting South and Central Asia. The reopening of the border not only restores vital trade routes but also underscores the importance of regional connectivity and pragmatic diplomacy over confrontation.
Kutos : AI Assistant!
