A.  Background: This refers to the related QCs in trial, blue, italic and double (a) BFQC 146 of 2.4.22 about Afghan Transit Trade Facilitation (b) CDQC 103 of 12.12.20 about Final Amendment in Transit Trade Rules - SRO 1303

B.  Updated Commentary

A.   FBR Halts Afghan Transit Trade via Karachi Ports (Attachment 289.1)

Further to KQU 3605 of 21.10.25, being an important matter, we would inform you FBR Halts Afghan Transit Trade via Karachi Ports (Attachment CS7203.1) in the ensuing paragraph, in Italic with emphasis in bold & Underline, heading ours for quick reading.

2.  Customs suspends Afghan transit transportation indefinitely as Quetta and Peshawar terminals reach full capacity. The FBR has suspended Afghan transit trade transportation from Karachi ports until further notice.

3.  According to officials, the decision was made during a high-level meeting chaired by the Director General of Afghan Transit Trade at the Directorate of Transit Trade Headquarters, Customs House Karachi. Directors from Quetta and Peshawar participated Via Zoom.

4.  Following the meeting, Customs General Order No. 98/2025 was issued, stating that the transportation of Afghan transit containers has been halted indefinitely due to a lack of space at the Quetta and Peshawar customs stations, where container yards are already full.

5.   All terminals have been directed to offload containers already loaded on vehicles, cancel all gate passes, and suspend transportation until further notice.

6.   As a result, Karachi Port and Port Qasim terminals have stopped clearance of Afghan transit trade shipments.

7.  Customs sources reported that long queues of TP containers are lined up at the SAPT, with hundreds of loaded containers awaiting clearance and many stranded on route to Quetta and Peshawar. Truck drivers are reportedly waiting for border routes to reopen.

B.  Transit Trade Office Order no. 98 /2025 (Attachment 289.2)

In respect of the above, we refer to above Officer Order No 98/2025 in the ensuing paragraph, in Italic with emphasis in bold & Underline, heading ours for quick reading. 

2.  In order to discuss the impact of the recent unrest at the Pak Afghan border on the working of the main Terminals, an emergency meeting was convened by the Director, Transit Trade on 13.10.25 in the Conference Room of the Directorate General of Transit Trade, 12th Floor, Custom House, Karachi. The Director General, Transit Trade joined the meeting via Zoom and the meeting at Karachi was presided by the Director, Transit Trade, and Karachi. The Director, Transit Trade, Quetta and Peshawar also joined the meeting via zoom. The meeting was attended by the representatives of all the Terminal Operators at Karachi, the Licensed Tracking Companies, the Bonded Carrier Association and the Afghan Customs Clearing Agents Association.

3. The Director General sensitized the participants about the recent border closure resulting in congestion of cargo at the main terminals at Karachi as well as the border customs stations at Pak-Afghan borders. The Director Transit (Quetta) and Director Transit (Peshawar) informed that presently the customs stations working under their jurisdiction have almost reached their optimum capacity and enroute transit cargo has yet to reach the border Customs stations. They have shown their concerns regarding the security of the bonded cargo at the customs Stations in case of further movement of transit cargo. After due deliberations with the participants, it was unanimously decided that:-

(a)   All Afghan Transit containers presently loaded on vehicles and parked inside the Terminals shall be dismounted from the vehicles and the gate passes for subject containers shall be cancelled by the Terminal Operator.

(b)  Further transportation of the Afghan Transit containers shall be suspended till the resumption of trade activities at the border customs stations with Afghanistan. This order is issued with the consensus of all the stakeholders present during the meeting.

C.  Further Details & Services

Should you require any clarification or explanations in respect of the above or otherwise, please feel free to email Mr Amsal at amsal@kasbati.co with CC to info.kasbati@professional-excellence.com.

Best regards for Here & Hereafter
Asif S Kasbati (FCA, FCMA & LLB)

Managing Partner

Kasbati & Co (1400+ Tax, Levies, Companies, Economy, Inflation, HR, Banking, Finance, etc

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