Amid escalating border clashes with Afghanistan, Pakistan has suspended all Afghan Transit Trade operations through Karachi ports. The move halts cargo movement and cancels all transit gate passes until further notice.
FBR Orders Immediate Suspension
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) decided during a high-level meeting at the Customs House Karachi, chaired by the Director General of Afghan Transit Trade. Following the meeting, a Customs General Order (CGO) was issued, enforcing the suspension immediately.
Cargo Movement Comes to a Standstill
All port terminals in Karachi and Port Qasim have begun offloading Afghanistan-bound containers, and clearance operations have been fully stopped. Customs officials report that storage facilities in Quetta and Peshawar are at full capacity, unable to accommodate more cargo.
At the South Asia Pakistan Terminal (SAPT), hundreds of trucks carrying Transit Permit (TP) containers are stranded. Long queues stretch along key routes leading to Quetta and Peshawar, while many containers remain stuck mid-transit, awaiting border reopening.
Military Escalation Triggers Trade Halt
The suspension comes amid rising military and diplomatic tensions between Islamabad and Kabul. The latest clashes erupted when Taliban fighters attacked Pakistani forces near the border last week. Pakistan responded with precision airstrikes on Taliban camps and posts in Kandahar and Kabul, reportedly killing over 200 militants.
Ceasefire and Diplomatic Efforts
Following the hostilities, both sides agreed on October 15 to a 48-hour ceasefire at the request of the Afghan Taliban regime. Pakistan’s Foreign Office said both governments would make “sincere efforts to find a positive solution through constructive dialogue.”
Strained Ties and Economic Fallout
Islamabad continues to urge Kabul to take action against terrorist groups, especially the TTP, which Pakistan accuses of operating from Afghan territory. The ongoing deadlock has strained bilateral relations and disrupted a vital regional trade route, worsening economic and humanitarian pressures on both sides of the border.
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