ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has officially suspended all Afghan Transit Trade from Karachi’s ports, citing massive congestion triggered by the recent closure of the Pak-Afghan border, according to official orders issued this week.

The directive, passed during a high-level meeting chaired by the Director General at Custom House Karachi, immediately cancels all gate passes for Afghan Transit consignments. Cargo clearance at both Karachi Port and Port Qasim has been halted until border trade activities resume.

Containers stranded, daily losses mounting

As per Office Order 98 of 2025, the suspension was enforced to address the growing backlog of cargo at terminals and customs stations. Junaid Makda, President of the Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce, reported that 291 Afghan Transit containers are stuck at Karachi Port and Port Qasim. Another 500 containers are stranded at Chaman, 400 at Torkham, 100 at Ghulam Khan, and 100 at Kharlachi, with hundreds more awaiting unloading from ships.

Makda warned that the suspension is inflicting daily losses of nearly one billion rupees, with traders on both sides forced to sell perishable food items at half price. “Normally, 1,000 containers move daily under Afghan Transit Trade. All warehouses at Torkham are already full,” he said.

The pipeline includes electronics, machinery, home appliances, textiles, confectionery, chocolates, and perishables. Traders have already suffered losses worth billions over the last four days.

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Ports under pressure

Customs directors from Quetta and Peshawar stated that their transit stations have reached maximum capacity and cannot accommodate more containers.

In response, FBR has introduced new technology-driven protocols under Office Order 97 of 2025 to streamline port traffic. Bonded vehicles will only be allowed entry if fitted with a Prime-over Device (PMD) installed by licensed tracking companies. Terminals will require confirmation of paid trip charges and availability of Container Surveillance Devices (CSDs) before gate entry is permitted.

Authorities say the system will create an electronically verified process to reduce indefinite parking of vehicles and prevent further terminal gridlock.

Trade at standstill

The suspension of Afghan Transit Trade marks one of the most significant disruptions in recent years, bringing cross-border cargo flow to a halt while Pakistan attempts to manage both logistical and security concerns at its key economic gateways.