In a statement posted on social media platform X on Sunday, the Iranian ambassador said Tehran had not prohibited the export of LPG or any other commodities to Pakistan.
He said Iran's borders with all neighbouring countries remained open, adding that closing the border with a neighbouring country like Pakistan would be neither logical nor in the interests of either side under the current regional circumstances.
According to Moghadam, changes in the implementation of Pakistan's electronic import form system had created serious difficulties for traders transporting goods from Iran into Pakistan, effectively disrupting the movement of commercial consignments.
LPG Trucks Stranded at Gabd-Rimdan Border Crossing
The Iranian ambassador said several hundred trucks carrying LPG from Iran had entered Pakistan's Gabd area through the Rimdan border crossing. However, he added, the cargo had not been unloaded and the trucks had not received the necessary clearance despite several weeks having passed.
He said the situation had further affected trade between the two countries and that consultations with Pakistani authorities were continuing to resolve the issue.
Meanwhile, according to a report published by Pakistani newspaper Dawn on October 25, commercial activity at the Gabd-Rimdan border crossing in Balochistan's Gwadar district was partially restored on Saturday after a week-long suspension.
Initially, the movement of consignments was permitted only for shipments whose consignment notes had been issued on or before October 16. Mir Naveed Jan Kalmati, president of the Gwadar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also confirmed the resumption of trade at the crossing.
Pakistan's E-Form Policy Changes Affect Cross-Border Trade
A separate Dawn report said Pakistan's Ministry of Commerce had withdrawn certain exemptions related to the electronic import form requirement for goods imported from Iran in mid-October.
The changes disrupted cross-border trade and left a large number of commercial vehicles stranded, according to the report.
The Iranian ambassador identified Pakistan's import and customs-clearance procedures as the main cause of the current disruption, while Iranian officials have called for the removal of administrative and technical obstacles affecting trade.
Pakistani authorities, meanwhile, have cited security concerns and efforts to prevent smuggling in discussions concerning restrictions on border trade.
LPG Shortage Concerns Grow in Pakistan
Reuters reported on October 23 that disruptions to cross-border trade had raised concerns about a possible LPG shortage and higher prices in Pakistan.
Traders told the news agency that thousands of tonnes of LPG were imported into Pakistan from Iran daily, with a substantial share entering through the Gabd-Rimdan route.
Any prolonged interruption in these shipments could put pressure on LPG supplies and prices in Pakistan, particularly if the movement of stranded consignments remains delayed.
Iran Calls for Continued Bilateral Trade
Moghadam said cross-border trade was an important part of the agreements reached between the senior leadership of Pakistan and Iran.
He stressed that maintaining trade flows was in the shared interests of both countries and their people.
The ambassador added that Iran would continue efforts to facilitate bilateral commerce and address the difficulties through close coordination with Pakistani authorities.
Although commercial activity at the Gabd-Rimdan crossing has reportedly resumed partially, there has been no confirmation that all pending cargo has received clearance or that trade has returned to normal.
