A man sits next to parked trucks at the Torkham border crossing, after Pakistan closed the border crossings with Afghanistan, following exchanges of fire between forces of the two countries, in Torkham, Pakistan, on 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. Around 300 vehicles were stopped at different points for approximately two weeks. Commercial transit operations would initially resume across the Chaman border.
The Directorate of Transit Trade (Customs) has issued a detailed notification that cargo operations will be completed in three phases. The notification states that all routine transit commercial operations will resume on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis after the delay is cleared.
In the first phase, the nine vehicles that were returned due to the closure of the border at the Puerta de la Amistad will be dispatched. These vehicles will be weighed and scanned again and in case of discrepancies, they will be 100% examined.
In the second phase, the 74 vehicles that were returned from the NLC Border Terminal Yard will be processed. These vehicles will also be weighed and scanned again, and any differences found will result in a full inspection.
In the third phase, the 217 vehicles currently parked at the detention yard will be cleared and allowed to cross the border.
The notification further states that photographs of the movement of all vehicles returned or stopped at the Friendship Gate will be taken and kept in a register to ensure transparency and proper documentation. The restoration of transit trade is expected to provide relief to traders, shippers and cargo operators who suffered heavy losses during the border closure.
According to officials, security and inspection measures have been further strengthened in the resumed business operations to prevent smuggling and any type of illegal trade.
The Chaman border is considered the most important land trade route between Pakistan and Afghanistan, along which dozens of trucks and cargo shipments circulate daily between the two countries.
The resumption of transit trade is expected to not only restore the fluidity of border trade but also improve trade relations between the two neighboring nations.
On October 12, Afghan forces opened unprovoked fire at multiple locations along the border in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan provinces. The Pakistan Army responded quickly and forcefully and its retaliatory action resulted in the death of 200 Taliban and TTP operatives.
On October 18, the two neighbors agreed to an immediate ceasefire during talks in Doha. Both countries agreed to stop fighting and work towards “lasting peace and stability” in talks brokered by Qatar and Türkiye, the ministry said.
