UN aid consignments cleared for Afghanistan

Pakistan has begun clearing humanitarian consignments bound for Afghanistan, marking the first controlled reopening of land port transit since routine trade was suspended in October.

Customs clearance for all exports, imports and Afghan Transit Trade (ATT) cargo had been halted at major crossings — including Torkham, Ghulam Khan, Kharlachi and Angoor Adda from October 12, and at Chaman from October 15 — leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded.

According to an official letter sent to the Federal Board of Revenue and the Directorate General of Transit Trade, Pakistan has now authorised the movement of consignments belonging to three UN agencies through Chaman and Torkham. The first batch includes 143 containers: 67 carrying food assistance from the World Food Programme, 74 with children’s supplies from UNICEF, and two containing healthcare and family-support items from UNFPA.

Officials said the decision followed foreign ministry consultations with the UN resident coordinator in Pakistan. The letter outlines a three-stage process: first food shipments, followed by medical supplies, and later consignments related to education. Additional lists will be cleared once agencies submit updated documentation.

Authorities stressed that the move applies only to humanitarian ATT cargo and does not signal the resumption of routine trade. Hundreds of trucks and customs staff in Chaman and Torkham had faced weeks of inactivity during the closure.

Around 495 vehicles remain queued for transit, including 412 at Chaman and 83 at Torkham. Pakistan processed $1.012 billion in transit trade imports during the 2024–25 fiscal year, covering 42,959 containers, official data shows.