Pakistan-Iran open new border corridor to boost trade 

The federal government has announced the opening of a new border corridor at the Pakistan-Iran border in Panjgur, with the cooperation of Iran. This initiative is aimed at promoting legal trade, discouraging smuggling, and providing employment and business opportunities for communities along the border.

The new trade route, located in the Kohak Cheedgi area of Panjgur, is expected to enhance business activities in the region of Balochistan. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued a notification for the establishment of the fourth official border crossing between Pakistan and Iran in this area. The move will facilitate smoother trade between the two countries and improve economic conditions in the local communities.

In a letter signed by Zubair Shah, Secretary of Transit and Border Trade, the Customs Collectorate of Gwadar has been instructed to coordinate with relevant authorities and ensure the development of infrastructure in the Kohak Cheedgi crossing area. The FBR has also requested progress reports on the development efforts.

The business community in Balochistan has welcomed this announcement, with leaders of the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry, including President Mohammad Ayub Mirani and Senior Vice President Haji Akhtar Kakar, expressing support. They noted that the opening of this border crossing had been a long-standing demand of Balochistan’s traders, and its establishment will help foster better trade relations.

The opening of this new corridor is expected to formalize trade between Pakistan and Iran, create employment opportunities for local populations, and make it easier for traders to carry out legal imports and exports. It is also hoped that the corridor will help curb the smuggling of goods across the border.

This move follows the recent inauguration of the Gabad-Rimdan border crossing in December, which also aims to enhance trade and people-to-people exchanges. The Gabad-Rimdan crossing, situated in the southeastern province of Sistan in Iran and near Pakistan’s Balochistan region, is part of efforts to improve bilateral ties and trade flows.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the opening of these border points aims to strengthen people-to-people connections and facilitate travel and trade between the two nations.