Pakistan resumes land travel for merchants to Iran after one-year halt
Pakistan has resumed land travel for its business community to Iran through the Taftan-Mirjaveh border crossing, allowing Pakistani merchants holding valid Iranian business visas to enter the neighboring country after a year-long suspension.
Pakistan’s Dunya newspaper said that the country’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), which oversees border control, passports and immigration, had authorized the facilitation of cross-border travel for traders through the Taftan crossing in the southwestern province of Balochistan, IRNA reported on Friday.
Pakistani media said the move would ease border trade and help expand commercial activity between the two neighboring countries.
Authorities said decisions regarding the resumption of travel for ordinary passengers would be made later, depending on the regional security situation.
The crossing for outbound travelers had been suspended since mid-June, last year, following the outbreak of the Israel-Iran conflict, although trade and customs operations continued.
In January 2025, Pakistan issued final approval for the opening of a fourth border crossing with Iran at Chadgi in Pakistan’s Balochistan province and Kouhak in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province, aiming to facilitate bilateral trade, create jobs and curb smuggling.
Mirjaveh, Rimdan and Pishin are the three main border crossings linking Pakistan and Iran, corresponding to the Taftan, Gabd and Mand crossings on the Pakistani side, through which bilateral trade and passenger traffic are conducted.