By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan has closed its key trade crossings with Iran, leaving trade with three of its four neighbouring countries - Iran, Afghanistan and India - disrupted amid security concerns and diplomatic tensions, in a situation a senior Pakistani politician has described as "unprecedented."

Deputy Commissioner of Chagai Afaq Ahmed said the closure of the Pakistan-Iran border was a temporary measure aimed at improving border management and supporting counterterrorism efforts. He said the border would reopen once effective measures were in place.

"Pakistan–Iran border closure is temporary measure to improve border management to support counterterrorism efforts. The border will be opened as soon as effective measures are in place," he said on X. 

The restrictions follow concerns about militant activity near the Iran-Pakistan border in Balochistan. Reports of clashes involving armed groups and Iranian forces have raised fears that violence could spill into Pakistan, although details of the reported incidents have not been independently verified.

Mushahid Hussain Sayed, a senior Pakistani politician and former information minister, highlighted the broader implications in a post on X.

“Probably, for first time in history, Pakistan’s borders with 3 out of 4 neighbours are closed for trade: India, Afghanistan & now Iran!” he wrote, adding that China remained a reliable partner with its border open.

Trade with Afghanistan has been severely disrupted since October 2025, when deadly clashes along the shared border prompted Pakistan to close major crossings, including Torkham and Chaman.

Islamabad has accused Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities of allowing the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), to operate from Afghan territory and plan attacks inside Pakistan. The Taliban authorities have rejected Pakistan’s accusations.

The shutdown disrupted the movement of trucks and goods and affected exporters and border communities on both sides. Pakistan-Afghanistan bilateral trade was reported at nearly $2 billion in the 2024–25 fiscal year, according to Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry.

- India trade halted after 2025 confrontation

Pakistan suspended trade with India in April 2025 following the deadly attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, which killed 26 people and triggered a major diplomatic crisis.

The two countries subsequently engaged in a brief military confrontation in May 2025. Trade restrictions followed years of strained relations, and bilateral commerce had already declined significantly. Trade between the neighbours stood at about $1.2 billion in 2024.

- Billions in regional trade affected

The latest Iran restrictions add to pressure on Pakistan’s regional commerce. Bilateral trade with Iran was reported at approximately $3.13 billion in fiscal year 2024–25, according to Pakistani media reports.

The figures for Iran, Afghanistan and India cover different periods and do not represent current trade flows. The latest restrictions on Iran apply to designated trade crossings, and there is no confirmed evidence that all movement across the entire border has stopped.

Prolonged closures can leave cargo stranded, increase transport costs, disrupt supplies and reduce export opportunities. Border communities that depend on cross-border trade are particularly vulnerable.

China remains a key economic partner for Pakistan, with bilateral trade and infrastructure cooperation continuing. However, the restrictions affecting three neighbouring countries underscore the economic consequences of worsening regional relations.

Pakistan has described the Iran border closure as temporary, but authorities have not announced a specific reopening date.