Pakistan senate committee calls for urgent reopening of Badini border with Afghanistan

Pakistan’s Senate Standing Committee on Commerce, chaired by Senator Anusha Rahman, has called for the immediate reopening of the Badini Border crossing with Afghanistan to revive trade and improve livelihoods in the surrounding communities.

Meeting on Tuesday, the committee reviewed proposals from the Quetta and Chaman Chambers of Commerce, which stressed that the crossing — briefly opened in 2021 before being closed within three months — is vital for facilitating cross-border commerce. Senator Rahman called the matter “significant and urgent,” noting that reactivation of the border would benefit both trade volumes and local economies.

The Secretary of Commerce informed the committee that the suspension was triggered by the withdrawal of Afghan customs staff, but confirmed that funding for road construction to improve connectivity has already been approved. The committee recommended that the Ministry of Commerce and the Quetta Chamber jointly engage with Afghan authorities to push for the crossing’s swift reopening.

Additional discussions included proposals for cold storage facilities and an LPG terminal at the Chaman Border. Chambers of Commerce were encouraged to apply to the Export Development Fund (EDF) for support in developing the storage infrastructure.