Business · Trade · 6 hrs ago
Pakistan Suspends Trade at Two Iran Border Crossings
Pakistan has suspended commercial trade at two crossings with Iran, Gabd-Rimdan and Taftan, citing security concerns and border management.
Pakistan says imports and exports at the crossings are stopped, leaving hundreds of goods vehicles stranded on both sides.
An Iranian chamber of commerce official says the border crossings remain open, but banking restrictions have temporarily stopped Iranian exports to Pakistan.
He says trade in the other direction, from Pakistan to Iran, continues.
The differing accounts mean the reported disruption involves both Pakistan's suspension of commercial activity and problems arranging payments for Iranian goods.
The pause matters because Gabd-Rimdan is a route for Pakistan's LPG imports, and traders warn that a prolonged disruption could affect supplies and prices.
Officials from both countries are discussing a return to normal trade, and Pakistan's Balochistan provincial adviser said the crossings could reopen soon depending on developments.
Pakistan suspended commercial activity at the Gabd-Rimdan and Taftan crossings with Iran, citing security concerns, according to one report.
The suspension has left hundreds of cargo vehicles carrying goods including liquefied petroleum gas, rice and fresh fruit stranded on both sides.
A Balochistan official said the move aimed to address security concerns, curb smuggling and improve border management.
Iranian trade officials, however, said the crossings remained open and attributed the halt in Iranian exports to banking restrictions.
Officials from both countries said discussions were under way about restoring normal trade.
- Who
- Pakistan suspended trade at two crossings with Iran, according to Times Today; Iranian trade officials disputed that the crossings were closed.
- What
- Commercial activity was suspended at Gabd-Rimdan and Taftan. Iranian officials said banking restrictions were instead disrupting exports to Pakistan.
- When
- Pakistan’s commerce ministry issued a memorandum on Friday, October 16, 2026, according to a report published the next day.
- Where
- At the Gabd-Rimdan and Taftan border crossings between Pakistan and Iran.
- Why
- A Balochistan official cited security concerns, preventing smuggling and improving border management. Iranian trade officials cited banking restrictions affecting payments.
Pakistan officials
Iranian trade officials
Cause of disruption
Pakistan officials
Balochistan official Shahid Rind said trade was suspended to address security concerns, prevent smuggling and improve border management.
Iranian trade officials
Tehran Chamber of Commerce transport commission chief Peyman Sanandaji said banking restrictions were making Iranian exports to Pakistan difficult.
Status of crossings
Pakistan officials
Times Today reported that commercial activity at Gabd-Rimdan and Taftan had been suspended.
Iranian trade officials
Sanandaji said the joint land border was open and rejected reports that a crossing had closed.
Trade flows
Pakistan officials
Times Today reported imports and exports were stopped at the two crossings.
Iranian trade officials
Sanandaji said imports from Pakistan to Iran continued, while Iranian exports to Pakistan were temporarily halted.
Pakistan and Iran began efforts to facilitate border trade, including simplifying customs procedures.
An Iranian delegation led by Trade and Industry Minister Mohammad Atabak visited Pakistan and met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Pakistan’s commerce ministry issued a memorandum suspending trade activity at two crossings, according to Times Today.
Iranian trade official Peyman Sanandaji said the crossings were open and blamed banking restrictions for disrupting Iranian exports to Pakistan.
- Crossings named
- Gabd-Rimdan and Taftan
- Cargo vehicles stranded
- Hundreds, according to Times Today
- LPG imports via Gabd-Rimdan
- More than 4,000 tonnes a day, according to Times Today
- Pakistan commerce ministry memorandum
- Friday, October 16, 2026
- Iranian official
- Peyman Sanandaji, head of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce transport commission
3 sources
What people are saying
The decision was necessary to improve the security situation and administrative arrangements on both sides of the border.
If banking restrictions continue, Iran’s exports to Pakistan will effectively remain halted.
If restrictions caused by sanctions on Iran’s banking system continue and the necessary banking operations cannot be completed, Iran’s exports to Pakistan will effectively stop.