FBR Suspends Afghan Transit Trade via Karachi Ports

ISLAMABAD – October 16, 2025: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has ordered an immediate suspension of all Afghan Transit Trade activities via Karachi ports, citing recent security clashes along the Durand Line and severe logistical challenges at inland customs stations.

The decision was made during a high-level meeting at the Directorate of Transit Trade Headquarters in Karachi, chaired by the Director General Afghan Transit Trade. Directors from the Quetta and Peshawar transit offices also participated virtually through Zoom.

Read More: https://365news.pk/fbr-extends-income-tax-return-deadline-to-oct-31/

As a result, Customs General Order No. 98/2025 was issued, instructing all terminals to halt the dispatch of Afghan-bound containers. The directive also mandates the offloading of containers already loaded for transit and the cancellation of all related gate passes.

Authorities say the move is due to limited storage capacity at customs facilities in Quetta and Peshawar, which are already overwhelmed with a backlog of containers. The suspension will remain in place until further notice.

Customs sources report that operations at both Karachi Port and Port Qasim have come to a standstill for Afghan transit shipments. Hundreds of trucks loaded with containers are now stranded at the South Asia Pakistan Terminal (SAPT), while more shipments are stuck en route to the border regions.

Drivers and transport companies are currently in limbo, awaiting clarity on when cross-border operations might resume amid escalating tensions and growing trade disruptions in the region.

Read More:Pakistan and Afghanistan discuss bilateral ties, trade, and refugee issues

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening diplomatic engagement and fostering closer cooperation. They agreed to enhance high-level dialogue to further consolidate ties between the two neighbouring countries.

Ambassador Sadiq, in a statement on social media platform X, reiterated Pakistan’s dedication to maintaining constructive and mutually beneficial relations with Afghanistan.