Bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been temporarily suspended due to security concerns, according to a statement issued by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Friday. The suspension has affected cargo movement at several key border crossings, including Torkham, Ghulam Khan, Kharlachi, Angoor Adda, and Chaman.
The FBR said that before the suspension, customs authorities had cleared 363 imported vehicles at the four major border stations — Torkham, Ghulam Khan, Kharlachi, and Angoor Adda. However, 23 imported vehicles loaded with non-perishable items such as cloth, paint, peanuts, and pulses are still awaiting clearance at Torkham. The delay, according to the FBR, is due to the importers not yet submitting their goods declarations.
Officials assured that clearance will be completed immediately once the required documentation is provided. “Customs personnel are present at all border points, and the clearance process will resume as soon as the situation returns to normal,” the statement said.
On the export side, the border closure has caused a significant backlog. Around 255 vehicles carrying export goods are currently parked inside the Torkham terminal, while nearly 200 vehicles are stranded along the Jamrud–Landi Kotal Road. No import vehicles, however, are awaiting clearance at Ghulam Khan, Kharlachi, or Angoor Adda border stations.
Trade disruptions have also hit the Chaman border, where customs clearance operations have been suspended since October 15, 2025. The FBR reported that five import vehicles and 23 export vehicles are awaiting processing there, with owners opting not to take back their consignments. “These traders are waiting for the border to reopen and trade activities to resume,” the statement added.
In total, about 495 vehicles of transit consignments are now waiting to cross the Pakistan-Afghanistan border at Torkham and Chaman.
The FBR reiterated that the temporary suspension was a precautionary measure linked to security conditions and that all possible facilitation would be provided to traders once trade operations resume.
The resumption of border activity is expected to restore the flow of bilateral trade between the two countries, which serves as a key economic lifeline for businesses on both sides.