Pakistan reopens Iran border crossing after week-long suspension

Pakistani officials have reopened a vital border crossing with Iran through its southwestern Balochistan region, a businessperson and customs clearing agent reported on Sunday, after temporarily suspending it for a week for security concerns.

The week-long shutdown also caused shortages of liquified petroleum gas (LPG) across the country, notably in its most populous Punjab province where most industries and households rely on LPG for their residential consumption. The shutdown has led to an increase in pricing of LPG cylinders, with dealers warning that they would go up higher if the closure continues.

The Gabd-Rimdan border crossing was opened Saturday, Naveed Jan Kalamati, head of the Gwadar Chamber of Commerce, told Arab News.

He said “hundreds of trucks loaded with rice and other food items crossed into Iran while LPG bowsers were allowed to cross into Pakistan”.

“The border crossing was chocked,” he claimed, “with a large number of trucks trying to cross after the week-long closure.”

Government officials in the port city of Gwadar and Quetta did not react to Arab News inquiry about the border reopening.