Islamabad, October 23, 2025: Pakistan is set to resume Afghan transit trade operations in a phased manner following the recent ceasefire agreement between Islamabad and Kabul, the Directorate of Transit Trade announced on Thursday.
In a statement, the directorate outlined a three-phase restoration plan for cargo clearance. In the first phase, nine vehicles that were sent back after the closure of Bab-e-Dosti will be cleared. The second phase will cover 74 vehicles that had returned from the NLC terminal, while the third phase will include 217 vehicles currently parked at the halting yard, to be allowed onward movement into Afghanistan.
Customs officials confirmed that formal directives have been issued for the gradual reopening of the Chaman border route, marking the first step toward restoring full transit operations.
Trade officials in Chaman said hundreds of cargo vehicles remain stranded due to the prolonged suspension, including over 370 trucks parked across Balochistan, around 300 stationed in Chaman city, and more than 500 freight vehicles linked to Central Asian transit routes awaiting clearance.
Pakistan had closed the Torkham and Chaman crossings on October 12 after Afghan Taliban fighters and allied militants launched attacks on multiple Pakistan Army border posts, triggering intense clashes.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), more than 200 Taliban and affiliated militants were killed, while 23 Pakistani soldiers were martyred in the fighting. Pakistan later carried out precision strikes inside Afghanistan, targeting militant hideouts in Kandahar and Kabul.
Following Afghan requests, Pakistan announced a 48-hour temporary ceasefire on October 15, later extended for another 48 hours as delegations from both countries engaged in Qatar-mediated negotiations in Doha.
On Sunday, both sides agreed to a complete and meaningful ceasefire, as confirmed by Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid.
Further discussions on the implementation of the truce and border management are scheduled for October 25 in Istanbul, Turkiye.
