Taftan formalised for trade with Iran

Wire excerpt

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has formally notified the establishment of a new land customs station at the border town of Taftan, a move that signals renewed focus on formalising and expanding Pakistan’s trade infrastructure with Iran. According to a customs notification SRO1055 of 2026, the FBR has declared the Railway Station Taftan, spread over 11.75 acres, as a land customs station for the loading, unloading and clearance of imported and exported goods. The notification specifies the facility’s geographical limits and brings the railway-linked terminal into the formal customs network. The development is expected to facilitate cargo handling through rail connectivity at Taftan, which has historically remained underutilised despite its strategic location as Pakistan’s primary land gateway to Iran. Land customs station status aims to reduce informal channels and lower transport costs By granting the status of a land customs station, tax officials aim to streamline documentation, clearance, and inspection processes, while reducing reliance on informal or fragmented trade channels. The move comes in the backdrop of Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to expand formal trade…