Pak-Iran barter trade may hit snags, warn importers

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani exporters and importers have warned that the barter trade between Pakistan and Iran could face disruption as Pakistan’s Customs Department has blocked as many as 600 Iranian trucks carrying consignments at the border between both countries.

However, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Mehmood Langrial told the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenues that without bank guarantees, the Iranian vehicles coming from Taftan border to Quetta covering 600 kilometres distance, would be held responsible for any leakages.

But the major importers/ exporters argued before the MPs panel that there should be no such concern whether Iranian almonds were coming into Pakistan, or any other country’s products coming into Iran and then transported into Pakistan.

The Senate panel held its meeting under the chairmanship of Senator Saleem Mandviwalla and cleared the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill 2025.

The committee took up the issue of 600 trucks carrying trade goods which are stuck on the Pakistan-Iran border because the Custom officials are demanding import order.

The MPs decided that the importers should immediately filed goods declarations (GDs) with Customs Department for immediate release of stuck-up Iranian containers.