Islamabad — According to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), customs operations at four border stations remain suspended due to unprovoked aggression from Afghanistan.
The FBR stated that imports and exports through Torkham, Ghulam Khan, Kharlachi, and Angoor Adda border stations have been halted since October 12.
Several customs officials were withdrawn over security concerns, as their lives were at risk.
The statement added that only a limited number of customs inspectors and personnel are stationed at the borders, and clearance activities will resume once conditions normalize.
Torkham, which handles the highest volume of cargo, currently has 255 export and 24 import vehicles parked at the terminal, while around 200 vehicles are stranded on the Jamrud–Landi Kotal road.
The FBR further noted that importers and exporters are hesitant to submit goods declarations, and nearly 500 transit trade vehicles at Torkham and Chaman are waiting to cross the border.
Customs clearance will resume immediately once the security situation improves.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has faced major operational challenges along the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa–Afghanistan border due to escalating security tensions.
Following repeated incidents of unprovoked Afghan aggression, customs clearance at key border stations — including Torkham, Ghulam Khan, Kharlachi, and Angoor Adda — has been suspended since mid-October.
These crossings are vital trade routes for both imports and exports, particularly for transit goods between Pakistan and Central Asia.
The FBR has withdrawn several customs officials citing security threats to their lives, while a limited number of staff continue to monitor the borders.
Hundreds of trucks carrying export and import consignments remain stranded, causing significant trade disruptions.
The department has assured that clearance operations will resume immediately once conditions normalize.
This temporary halt highlights the fragile border security situation and its direct impact on Pakistan’s trade flow, especially through Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s critical trade corridors.
