Challenges in Pakistan-Iran Border Trade Discussed by Delegation of All Makran Customs Clearing Agents

• 03 Jun 2023

Recently, on the date of 6/3/23, a delegation of All Makran Customs Clearing Agents, including leaders of All Makran Customs Agent Association, Ghafoor, Arganahazar Akram Bhar, Barkat Rand, Abdul Rahim Zafer, Engineer Hamid Baloch Barkat Baledi, President of Makran Chamber, Abdul Ghafoor, Imam Haji Rasool Bakhsh, leaders of Bader Traders, Sher Jan Baloch, Hanif Nigori, President of All Gwadar Karachi Truck Association Hamid Shahin, Haji Yaqoob Kalachi, and business personalities from Mand and Panjgur were present.

The delegation met with the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Shams-ul-Haq Kalmati, and the members of the Executive Committee of the Gwadar Chamber of Commerce to discuss their issues and problems. The delegation stated that for centuries, there has been border trade between our neighboring country Iran, which has provided livelihood to thousands of people. However, instead of making this trade easier, it is becoming more difficult day by day. To travel from Pakistan-Iran border to Karachi, one has to pass through centuries-old checkposts.

Recently, the Gwadar Makran Collectorate was divided, and a new collectorate named Khuzdar was established, which is only operational at two checkposts, Surab and Gaddani. It means that from Habb to Khuzdar, only one collectorate is created or by establishing this collectorate, there will be an increase in more checkposts towards Karachi, which are already hundreds in number.

Due to these checkposts, there will be more difficulties and additional checkposts in Pakistan-Iran trade, causing wastage of time and hindering business activities. It is evident that border traders and customs clearing agents are currently on strike. All three borders with Iran are closed, where thousands of goods for export and import are stuck. In these challenging economic conditions, where all ports of the country are filled with containers on one side and on the other side, Pakistan-Iran border is closed due to the strike.

The President of the Gwadar Chamber of Commerce has assured the delegation that they will contact the federal and provincial authorities responsible for customs and trade in order to fully resolve the concerns and problems of the Customs Clearing Agents Association and border trade. The aim is to revive Pakistan-Iran trade and normalize it once again.