1200 Iranian Trucks Stranded at Pakistan-Iran Border: Trade Ministry Proposes New Measures to Resolve Crisis
Lahore:The Ministry of Commerce has decided to present a new summary to the Federal Cabinet regarding the ongoing crisis at the Pakistan-Iran border, where 1200 Iranian trucks are stranded. The summary will propose the removal of the ‘Import Form’ requirement for imports from Iran and Afghanistan, and suggest a revision of the existing barter trade policy.
According to Business Recorder, this development took place during a joint meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Commerce and the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue, which aimed to address the growing issues surrounding barter trade with Iran.
Senator Saleem Mandviwala, the chairman of the committee, directed the Ministry of Commerce to ensure that under the new proposal, imports from Iran under barter trade would be treated equally to imports covered under the Import Policy Order.
**Customs Authority Surprised: “We Have No Information About 1200 Trucks”**
During the meeting, an acting member of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) revealed a shocking detail: Pakistani customs authorities had no information regarding the 1200 Iranian trucks stranded at the border. The official stated, “No one has approached us for clearance, so we are unaware of this issue.”
Officials from the Ministry of Commerce clarified that the summary had already been approved by the State Bank of Pakistan but that they had yet to receive any feedback from the FBR.
The FBR later clarified that the authority to waive the ‘Import Form’ requirement rests with the Ministry of Commerce and the State Bank, and the two institutions should make a joint decision.
**Revised Barter Policy to be Announced: Report Due in 10 Days**
The committee unanimously decided to overhaul the current barter trade policy to ensure that imports and exports between Pakistan and Iran do not incur losses for either country. Once the committee approves the revised policy, it will be presented to the Federal Cabinet for approval. The committee has requested a report within the next 10 days.
The meeting was jointly chaired by Senators Saleem Mandviwala and Anusha Rehman. The committee expressed strong displeasure over the absence of the Commerce Secretary and Minister of Commerce, calling it an affront to parliamentary oversight.
**Ineffective Policies and Judicial Stay Orders Criticized**
The committee also criticized the current barter trade policy, calling it “complicated, irrational, and ineffective.” They argued that these policies were stifling trade and damaging Pakistan’s economic potential. Senator Mandviwala emphasized, “The country cannot be run on stay orders. Customs authorities are merely waiting on judicial orders.”
Senator Anusha Rehman warned that if bureaucratic obstacles continue, Prime Minister’s vision of $60 billion in trade could remain a distant dream.
**Iranian Delegation Reveals: “1200 Trucks Are Stranded”**
Iranian representatives told the committee that the number of trucks stranded at the border had doubled from the initially reported 600 to 1200, causing significant losses for traders on both sides. The committee identified the root cause of the crisis in the contradictory policies: the Barter Trade Policy, which allows only Iranian goods, and the Import Policy Order, which requires an ‘Import Form’ for every import.
**Lack of Banking Channels: Guaranteeing Iranian Drivers is Impossible**
Under the current regulations, Iranian transporters bringing goods from Taftan to the NLC Dry Port are required to provide a bank guarantee equivalent to customs duties and taxes. However, due to the absence of a banking system between the two countries, this requirement has become impossible to fulfill.
The Ministry of Commerce acknowledged that the current method of border trade is overly complicated, which is adversely affecting legal trade.
The committee is expected to hold another meeting in about 10 days, during which a report on the new policy and progress will be presented.
