Iran says border with Pakistan open, no curbs on LPG exports

Iran's ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, has denied reports that Iran has closed its borders to Pakistan. In a statement on X on Sunday, 25 October, he said Iran places no restrictions on exporting Iranian goods to Pakistan, including liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

The envoy said Iran's borders with all its neighbouring countries remain open. He said that in present circumstances it would be neither logical nor in the interest of either side for Iran to close its borders to its immediate neighbours, particularly Pakistan, which he called a brotherly country.

Moghadam pointed to changes in the E-Form procedure Pakistan uses for imports from Iran. According to him, the changes have created a situation in which traders are effectively unable to dispatch cargo from Iran to Pakistan.

He said consultations with Pakistani authorities are under way to resolve the issue, and that efforts are being made to bring trade activity between the two countries back to normal.

The ambassador also said that, according to information received, several hundred trucks carrying LPG have crossed the Rimdan border and entered Gabd on the Pakistani side. He said the trucks have stayed there for several weeks without being unloaded or cleared, which is affecting the movement of goods and the continuity of bilateral trade.

Moghadam said cross-border trade is an important part of bilateral agreements reached at the highest levels and serves the interests of both countries and their people. He said Iran has made every possible effort to facilitate and promote this trade.

He added that Tehran remains committed to working closely with Pakistani officials to overcome the current difficulties, ease the movement of goods and strengthen economic cooperation.