ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue has permitted the re‑export of Afghan transit trade consignments that had remained stranded at Chaman and Quetta for several months. The shipments are now authorised to move onward to Karachi Port and Port Qasim, easing a backlog that had severely impacted traders and regional commerce.
Background of the disruption
The movement of Afghan goods was suspended in October 2025 following the closure of border crossings amid heightened security concerns. The suspension left thousands of containers immobilised, causing significant financial losses for Afghan traders and obstructing the flow of regional trade. Officials had faced pressure to resolve the bottleneck as the disruption threatened wider economic linkages in South Asia.
Relief and ongoing challenges
While the FBR decision provides limited relief for affected Afghan businesses, authorities note that regular transit trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan has yet to fully resume. Observers highlight that sustained coordination and security assurances will be essential to restore confidence in the Afghan transit trade corridor and ensure smoother cross‑border commerce in the future.
