Main Border Crossing With Pakistan Reopens

EghtesadOnline: Mirjaveh border crossing in Sistan-Baluchestan Province located on Iran-Pakistan frontier has reopened after an over two-month hiatus, announced Rouhollah Latifi, spokesperson of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration.

News ID: ۷۵۰۰۳۰

13 May 2020

Since May 11, the crossing is open for trade on Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. accepting 75 Iranian trucks, Fars News Agency reported.

Mirjaveh border crossing is the most important land border between Iran and Pakistan, which had been previously closed due to the outbreak of Covid-19.

Following the coronavirus outbreak, Pakistan initially closed all its borders with Iran.

After one and a half month’s hiatus following the Covid-19 outbreak in Pakistan, the federal government on April 27 reopened Pakistan-Iran border at Taftan to restore food supply for people living in border towns.

The Interior Ministry allowed resumption of activities through five points of the border towns: Chagai, Washuk, Panjgur, Kech and Gwadar, the Express Tribune reported.

Pakistani locals living in border towns totally rely on businesses providing food that is transported through Iran. Therefore, to avoid food shortage in the border towns, the federal government decided to open the border.

Gwadar DC Captain Mohammad Waseem said Pakistan-Iran border was partially opened to overcome food shortage in the border towns. Following the outbreak of novel coronavirus in Iran, the government had suspended trade activities and movement through Iran’s border since April 13.

At least 20 trucks loaded with dates arrived in Pakistan on Monday through the Taftan border crossing with Iran after the Pakistani government decided to start importing food items from the neighboring country.

The National Command and Operation Center made this decision during its meeting on April 21, Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported.

According to official sources, the border with Iran operates on three days per week to import dates and other commodities, but no decision has been made regarding exports to Iran.

Iran is the world’s second biggest producer of dates after Egypt, accounting for 10% of the global output.

Pakistan’s Interior Ministry had also allowed the import of gasoline and diesel from Iran through 40-50 pickups via Chagai and Katagar with all precautionary measures taken to avoid the spread of coronavirus by carrying out disinfection, using spray, screening and other related steps.

After customs clearance, the vehicles are escorted to the designated unloading points.

Rimdan border crossing on the Iran-Pakistan frontier reopened on April 25, Latifi said.

According to the spokesperson, 14 Iranian trucks carrying export commodities were given the go-ahead to cross into Pakistan from the border crossing.

Pakistani officials have authorized the entry of 20 trucks per day carrying food products into their country on Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. with health protocols in effect, Mehr News Agency reported.

Pakistan first closed its eastern and western borders with Iran, Afghanistan and India on March 15 to contain the spread of the new coronavirus.

Later, Pishin border crossing reopened on May 2. The border crossing is now open for trading foodstuff every other day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time, according to the IRICA spokesman.

A maximum of 20 trucks and 40-50 pickup trucks and mini trucks are allowed to pass through, Mehr News Agency reported.