Reference is invited to the news item published in the daily ‘Dawn” under the caption “Pak-Iran Border Trade Halt to Trigger LPG Shortages”, wherein it has been alleged that cross-border trade through the Gabd-Rimdan border crossing has come to a complete halt, resulting in severe LPG shortages and disruption of imports and exports. The assertions made in the report are not supported by the actual operational data and do not accurately reflect the prevailing situation at the Gabd-Rimdan border crossing. Clearance statistics reveal that during the period from 01.06.2026 to 08.06.2026, a total of 748 LPG Goods Declarations (GDs) involving approximately 17,353 metric tons of LPG were cleared through the Gabd-Rimdan border under the jurisdiction of the Collectorate of Customs Appraisement Gwadar. These figures clearly demonstrate that LPG imports through the border remained operational throughout the reported period and that the movement and clearance of LPG consignments continued without interruption. It is further pertinent to mention that the Collectorate have recently undertaken a series of measures aimed at streamlining import clearance procedures and strengthening compliance controls in order to address instances of mis-declaration, concealment and pilferage detected in certain categories of imported goods. Under the previous prevalent practice, only weighment of consignments imported from Iran used to take place at NLC weigh bridge after which importers used to take consignments to private godowns from where GDs were filed at will or not at all. There were several instances of illegal removal of goods/pilferage, misdeclarations and revenue loss for want of proper customs controls. The revised procedure, the traders are following the prescribed legal procedure envisaged under the Customs Rules, 2001, including filing of import manifest, gate-in, weighment and scanning and filing of Goods Declaration before being allowed moving to private godowns. These measures were implemented after consultation with the Quetta and Gwadar Chambers of Commerce & Industry and after allowing the trade a one-month transition period. These measures are intended to facilitate legitimate trade while ensuring compliance with the applicable legal and regulatory framework and safeguarding government revenue. It is pertinent to mention that the aforesaid measures were adopted following detailed consultations with the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Gwadar Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Furthermore, the trade was provided a grace period of one month to familiarize itself with and comply with the prescribed legal procedures, thereby ensuring that the implementation of the revised clearance regime remained transparent, consultative and facilitative in nature. As part of these facilitation measures, imports of essential commodities, including LPG and Bitumen, are being processed through expedited clearance mechanism, the Green Channel, and continue to be cleared without delay. The uninterrupted clearance of LPG consignments during the reported period is itself evidence of the continued functioning of customs operations and trade facilitation arrangements at the border. It is pertinent to note that the implementation of the prescribed procedures under the law, coupled with ongoing efforts to streamline import clearance and enhance compliance, has resulted in substantial improvements in revenue collection. During April–June 2026, Customs realized revenue amounting to Rs. 12,071 million against 8,245 GDs, as compared to Rs. 7,861 million against 6,909 GDs during the corresponding period of the preceding year. The increase in both revenue collection and documented trade transactions underscores the effectiveness of the measures adopted to facilitate legitimate trade while curbing mis-declaration, concealment and revenue leakage. It is also noted that a limited number of border clearing agents/traders dealing in some of iron and steel products have been unwilling to adopt the prescribed clearance procedures required under the law. During the past week, approximately 65 consignments arriving from Iran were abandoned by the concerned traders after entry into Pakistan. Consequently, the Iranian vehicles, drivers and cargo remained stationed at the border for several days owing to the failure of the traders to own goods and complete the requisite customs formalities. In order to avoid further hardship to the transporters and unnecessary congestion at the border, and following consultations with the Iranian Customs authorities, these consignments were subsequently permitted to return to Iran. In view of the foregoing, the assertion that trade through the Gabd-Rimdan border crossing has come to a complete halt, that LPG supplies have been disrupted due to customs clearance issues, or that customs authorities are deliberately impeding legitimate trade is not supported by the facts on record. Customs remains fully committed to facilitating lawful trade, ensuring expeditious clearance of legitimate consignments, and maintaining effective enforcement of the applicable laws and procedures. Accordingly, the impression conveyed by the news report does not represent the actual operational position on the ground. Customs clearance operations at the Gabd-Rimdan border remain functional, and the movement of essential commodities, particularly LPG, continues without interruption.
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