Islamabad / Karachi, 16 October 2025 – In a dramatic escalation of tensions, Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has ordered an indefinite suspension of Afghan Transit Trade via its seaports, directing containers bound for Afghanistan to be offloaded and gate passes cancelled. At the same time, customs clearance at key land gateways in Quetta and Peshawar has been suspended.

The move followed intense cross-border clashes between Pakistani security forces and Afghan units, with both sides trading fire across the Durand Line. Pakistan claims at least 23 of its soldiers were killed in the exchanges, while Afghan sources report civilian casualties near the Spin Boldak and Kandahar border areas.

In response to mounting diplomatic pressure, the two countries have agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire, set to begin at 6:00 pm Islamabad time. Islamabad says the truce was requested by Afghanistan; Kabul has accepted the ceasefire but reserved the right to respond if violations occur.

Officials at Karachi Port confirmed that containers already loaded long for transit to Afghanistan have been offloaded, creating congestion within terminal yards. Meanwhile, land customs posts along the border report severe backlog and an inability to process further consignments.

Traders on both sides are suffering immediate losses. Afghan fruit and vegetable exporters say many consignments have spoiled while stuck in transit. They warn that repeated border closures over recent months have already driven many to bankruptcy.

Diplomatic responses have been swift: China has offered to mediate, while Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UN have called for restraint and protection of civilians caught in the crossfire.

At present, Pakistan has not specified how long the suspension of transit trade will last, stating only that operations will resume “after further orders.”