A man sits next to trucks parked at the Torkham border post, after Pakistan closed border posts with Afghanistan, following exchanges of fire between the two countries’ forces, 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. Around 300 vehicles had been stuck in different locations for around two weeks. Commercial transit operations would initially resume via the Chaman border.
A detailed notification has been issued by the Directorate of Transit Trade (Customs), according to which cargo operations will take place in three phases. The notification said that all routine transit trade operations will resume on a “first in, first out (FIFO)” basis once the backlog is cleared.
Initially, the nine vehicles returned due to the border closure at the Friendship Gate will be cleared by customs. These vehicles will be re-weighed and re-scanned, and in case of anomalies, they will be subject to 100% examination.
In the second phase, the 74 vehicles returned from the NLC border terminal will be processed. These vehicles will also be re-weighed and re-scanned, and any differences found will result in a full inspection.
In the third phase, all 217 vehicles currently parked at the stop station will be allowed to cross the border.
The notification further states that photographs of the movement of all returned or detained vehicles will be taken at the Friendship Gate and kept in the archives to ensure transparency and proper documentation. The restoration of transit trade is expected to provide relief to traders, transporters and freight operators who suffered heavy losses during border closures.
According to officials, security and inspection measures have been further strengthened upon resumption of 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, through which dozens of trucks and goods pass between the two countries daily.
The resumption of transit trade is expected to not only restore smooth border trade but also improve trade relations between the two neighboring countries.
On October 12, Afghan forces opened fire without provocation at several locations along the border in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan provinces. The Pakistani army responded quickly and forcefully and its retaliation resulted in the deaths of 200 Taliban and TTP members.
On October 18, the two neighbors agreed to an immediate ceasefire during the Doha negotiations. The two countries agreed to stop fighting and work towards “lasting peace and stability” during negotiations mediated by Qatar and Turkey, the ministry said.
