Quetta, Pakistan – Web Desk: In a major development for cross-border commerce, trade visa facilities for Pakistani traders have been restored at the Taftan border crossing after a suspension lasting nearly one year .
According to a notification issued by the Balochistan Home Department, the resumption of trade visas marks the beginning of a new chapter in Pakistan-Iran border trade . The decision is expected to strengthen bilateral trade ties and create new employment opportunities in the border regions.
Traders Welcome the Decision
Local traders have warmly welcomed the restoration of trade visas, describing it as a significant positive step for the economy and employment generation . The business community had been facing difficulties in cross-border commercial activities due to the suspension of visa facilities.
Broader Trade Context
The visa restoration comes amid broader efforts to enhance Pakistan-Iran trade cooperation. Earlier this month, Iranian and Pakistani officials signed a new agreement during the 10th Joint Border Trade Committee meeting in Quetta to strengthen cross-border trade cooperation and allow customs offices at borders to increase their service hours . Iranian Consul General Hassan Darvish Vand attended the meeting, where both sides agreed to facilitate visa issuance for businesses .
The timing of this development is significant as Pakistan has also operationalized six overland routes connecting Pakistani ports to Iranian border crossings, including Taftan, providing a land bridge for trade amid regional tensions . These trade routes have been activated following a Ministry of Commerce order issued in April 2026, allowing goods from third countries to pass through Pakistan before entering Iran .
