Pakistan reopens Iran border as visa facility returns at Taftan border
In a major development for cross-border commerce, authorities have restored the business visa facility for Pakistani traders travelling to Iran through the Taftan border crossing after nearly a year of suspension.
Taftan, located in Balochistan’s Chagai district, is the main land route connecting Pakistan with Iran’s border town of Mirjaveh and plays a vital role in trade between the two neighboring countries.
Officials said the decision was made following a notification issued by the Balochistan Home Department. The move is expected to help revive business activities that were affected by restrictions over the past several months.
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Under the new arrangements, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) passport gate at Taftan has been partially reopened. Only registered Pakistani traders holding valid business visas will currently be allowed to cross into Iran through the facility.
The business visa service had remained suspended due to regional security concerns and tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. As a result, authorities had imposed temporary restrictions on the movement of Pakistani citizens through the border crossing.
Traders and business communities welcomed the restoration of the facility, saying it would make travel easier, strengthen commercial ties, and improve economic activity in the border region.
Local business leaders expressed optimism that trade volumes between Pakistan and Iran would increase in the coming months. They also said the decision could create new employment opportunities and support businesses that depend on cross-border trade.
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The development follows recent efforts by both countries to enhance economic cooperation. Last month, Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi and Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr Reza Amiri Moghadam, discussed railway connectivity, including the Taftan-Zahedan rail route, during a meeting in Islamabad.
During the talks, both sides reviewed bilateral relations and explored ways to expand cooperation in transport, trade, and regional connectivity.
The restoration of the visa facility is being viewed as another positive step towards strengthening Pakistan-Iran economic relations and improving movement across the shared border.
