By Afshain Afzal

There is no doubt that Pakistan desires good friendly relations with all the Muslim countries including Iran. It was positive announcement when on 21 November 2024, Iranian Consul General Hassan Darwishvand expressed Tehran’s goal of increasing trade between Pakistan and Iran to $10 billion. But some recent policy changes have shaken Pakistan’s businesses, agriculture and economy as Pakistan is overlooking sanctions against Iran, which may attract further international sanctions on Pakistan. In the latest development, Iranian authorities have totally dishonored 1960s agreement between Pakistan and Iran, which allowed Rahadari system authorizing Pakistani Baloch resident of Sistan Balochistan to visit Pakistan without visa or passport and carry custom free items to both sides as compensation of Pakistan’s handing over Pakistani territory to Iran including snow-capped, eroded Koh-e-Tuftan volcano. The poor Baloch nationals who are being targeted by the militaries from decades and intentionally kept backward and marginalized have now no voice anywhere. The worse unnoticed human rights suffering could be seen in Balochistan.

Meanwhile, Pakistan and Iran announced the opening of a new crossing point at Kohak Cheedgi area on Pakistan-Iran border in Panjgur to facilitate trade activities between the two countries, discourage trade allowed to Baloch of Sistan Balochistan under Radhari system and smuggling of goods and provide employment and business opportunities to the new settlers living on both sides of the border of the two countries. In December last year, Pakistan and Iran inaugurated the Gabd-Rimdan border crossing which is located about 120km from the Iranian port of Chabahar and 70km from Gwadar port. The Federal Board of Revenue has notified duty free trade and tariff concessions from January 2025 on the import of items and finished products from Iran and other countries under the D-8 Preferential Trade Agreement. Trade is also being carried out through other channels. Secretary of Transit and Border Trade Zubair Shah, directed the Collectorate of Customs in Gwadar to take necessary steps in Kohak Cheedgi border crossing point and coordinate with other stakeholders and departments concerned to ensure required infrastructure development in the area immediately.

It is desire of the government and people of Pakistan that Iran is able to clear her position and international sanctions against Iran are lifted but Pakistan must abide international obligations. Today where Afghan items are being restricted in Pakistan markets, Iranian products including petroleum items, urea, machinery, equipment, fruits and vegetable, detergent, milk, cream, curd, cheese, ghee, eggs and other smuggled items are flooded not only in Balochistan province but even in smaller Pakistani cities. There are reports that Iranian items are smuggled through Pakistan to India. It is high time that policy makers from both countries must act responsibly, abide by international law and obligations, extending legal help to in this difficult time to overcome issues.