Iran-Pakistan Border Trade Resumes After 7-Day Closure
The Gabd-Rimdan border crossing between Pakistan and Iran has officially reopened after a seven-day closure, restoring vital bilateral trade and movement between the two nations. Commercial activities resumed on Saturday morning at the Gwadar border point, known as ‘Gate 250,’ allowing long-stranded cargo trucks carrying essential goods and liquefied petroleum gas to cross finally. The closure had been originally ordered by Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce on October 17 without a specific reason, halting all traffic until security measures were recently reassessed and strengthened.
Safety concerns had escalated earlier in the week when unidentified gunmen launched a violent attack on Thursday against stranded transport vehicles near the border area. The assailants set dozens of cargo trucks on fire and damaged several others, prompting local authorities to conduct a comprehensive security review. In response to the incident, extra security forces were deployed to safeguard commercial transit, which successfully enabled the administrative authorities to clear and reopen the gateway for delayed shipments holding valid permits.
The resumption of cross-border trade has brought immediate relief to commercial operators and business communities affected by the week-long gridlock. Mir Naveed Jan Kalmati, President of the Gwadar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, confirmed the movement of import-export vehicles and welcomed the reopening, stating that the resumption of trade will bring immediate relief to stranded business people and transporters on both sides of the border. This operational normalisation is expected to ease Pakistan’s ongoing LPG supply shortages and stabilise fuel and food prices.
Source: The Dawn
