ISLAMABAD: Iran has clarified that its border with Pakistan remains open and that Tehran has imposed no restrictions on exports, including liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), amid reports of disruptions in cross-border trade.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam issued the clarification on social media platform X, saying that Iran’s borders with all neighbouring countries remained open.
He said closing borders with neighbouring countries, particularly Pakistan, would neither be logical nor serve the interests of either side under the prevailing circumstances.
However, the envoy pointed to changes in Pakistan’s E-Form procedure for imports from Iran, saying the revised process had effectively prevented traders from dispatching cargo to Pakistan. He added that consultations with Pakistani authorities were underway to resolve the issue.
Moghadam also said that, according to reports, several hundred trucks carrying LPG had crossed the Rimdan border into Gabd on the Pakistani side but had remained there for several weeks without being unloaded or cleared.
He warned that the situation was complicating the movement of goods and disrupting the smooth flow of bilateral trade.
The ambassador emphasised that cross-border trade was an integral part of agreements reached between the two countries at the highest levels and served the interests of both nations and their people. He said Tehran remained committed to facilitating trade, resolving outstanding issues and strengthening economic cooperation with Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan, responding to the Iranian ambassador’s post, said the envoy had described the situation on the ground.
He clarified that trucks carrying goods, including LPG consignments that had crossed the border, were being unloaded in accordance with established procedures.
The spokesperson reiterated that Pakistan’s position on sanctions remained unchanged, stressing that the country, as a responsible member of the international community, would continue to comply with all applicable sanctions regimes under international and domestic laws.
He added that Pakistan remained committed to a rules-based international order founded on multilateralism and international law, while maintaining constructive communication with relevant stakeholders.
However, the spokesperson said he did not have direct knowledge of the prevailing circumstances and was not personally privy to the situation on the ground.
Meanwhile, sources told The News that the E-Form procedure governing bilateral trade could be discussed at a later stage as part of a broader policy framework. Authorities from both countries may also consider the possibility of resuming restricted free trade if the overall regional situation improves.
The developments highlight the need for coordination between Islamabad and Tehran to address procedural hurdles, facilitate the movement of goods and maintain bilateral trade flows.
