Pakistan Resumes Afghan Transit Trade After Doha Talks

Pakistan has restarted the Afghan Transit Trade after an understanding of an immediate ceasefire between Islamabad and the Afghan Taliban government in Doha, Qatar. The trade route had been suspended on October 13, 2025, following violent unrest and security tensions along the Pak-Afghan border. According to officials, transit operations have now resumed from the Chaman crossing point. The Directorate of Transit Trade issued a detailed order on Wednesday outlining the process for restoring full cargo movement. The order explained that transit operations would restart gradually on a first-in-first-out basis after clearing the backlog of stranded consignments. A total of around 300 vehicles had been held up at various locations along the route. In the first phase, nine trucks that were turned back from the Friendship Gate will be processed. Each vehicle will undergo re-weighment and scanning, and any irregularities will lead to a full physical inspection inside the NLC Border Terminal. The second phase covers 74 vehicles that were pushed back from the terminal yard in Chaman. These will go through the same verification procedures. In the third phase, 217 vehicles parked in the Halting Yard will be cleared for cross-border movement once all checks are completed. Officials said images of all vehicles crossing back into Afghanistan will be recorded and stored for documentation and monitoring. The resumption of transit trade is expected to bring relief to traders and transporters who suffered financial losses during the closure. The Chaman border remains one of the most vital trade corridors for Pakistan and Afghanistan. It handles thousands of tonnes of goods every week, including food, fuel, and construction materials. Authorities have also tightened security protocols to ensure all cargo undergoes strict screening before clearance.