The Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue raised alarm on Wednesday about the situation at the Pakistan-Iran border, where 600 trucks have been stranded for the past six to eight months. The delays stem from import restrictions and inefficiencies among customs officials.

Committee member Manzoor Ahmed Kakar highlighted that Pakistani traders use a barter system with Iran, but customs officials have been slow to grant clearances, resulting in the spoilage of perishable goods.

Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Rashid Langrial, emphasized that barter trade was initially permitted due to the lack of banking channels between the two nations. However, importers now seek to import goods from other countries via Iran, which is not permissible by law, according to the chairman.

In the meantime, oil smuggling and money laundering across the border continue unchecked. One senator disclosed that while around 4,000 individuals were previously involved in oil smuggling, this number has now decreased to 100-200.

Additionally, it was revealed that customs officials have doubled their clearance rates from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 30,000, complicating trade for legitimate importers.

Lawmakers cautioned that trade disruptions could worsen if Iran decides to block Pakistani trucks in retaliation.