QUETTA: The Balochistan government said on Sunday that the temporary closure of the Pakistan-Iran border is meant to address security concerns, curb smuggling and improve border management, dismissing social media rumours about the move, Geo News reported.
Shahid Rind, adviser to the Balochistan chief minister, said talks between senior Pakistani and Iranian officials were making positive progress on administrative issues related to the border, and that in view of this progress the border was likely to reopen soon.
He said a coordinated system was being developed to improve border affairs, prevent smuggling and maintain law and order, which would ease unrest in border areas and allow better facilities for traders. He urged the public to ignore unverified information.
The Quetta Chamber of Commerce had earlier said the closure disrupted trade, leaving about 2,000 goods trucks stranded on both sides. It said traders dealing with Iran had been advised to suspend new purchases, and that the commerce ministry had told traders to temporarily stop new bookings for goods imported from Iran.
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