The Ministry of Commerce has directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to allow all Afghan transit cargo to be re-exported to any seaport upon request by exporters or their clearing and forwarding agents. The directive covers stranded Afghan Transit Trade containers at the ports of Karachi, Gwadar, and Border Crossing Points, including shipments originating from Vietnam and Malaysia.
The ministry clarified that exporters or their agents can request re-export of these containers to any seaport, facilitating the movement of goods that have been stuck due to logistical constraints. Additionally, the ministry allowed exemptions under para 6(4) of the Import Policy Order 2022, which pertains to imports under the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APPTA) 2010, enabling them to follow rules notified by the federal government.
This decision follows a recent inter-ministerial meeting chaired by the Ministry of Commerce joint secretary with all relevant stakeholders, aimed at devising a strategy to clear cargo delayed at seaports after the closure of the Pak-Afghan border since October 11, 2025.
