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Pakistan Authorizes Re-Export of Stranded Afghan Transit Cargo to Any Seaport

The move seeks to cut mounting demurrage, relieving Karachi port congestion after the October 11 border shutdown.

Overview

  • The Commerce Ministry invoked Section 3(1) of the Imports & Exports (Control) Act 1950 and granted an exemption from para-6(4) of the Import Policy Order 2022.
  • The Federal Board of Revenue was advised to let exporters or their agents reroute the containers for re-export through any Pakistani seaport on request.
  • Implementation is proceeding through one-time waivers and case-by-case approvals, with many containers still stuck at Karachi.
  • Officials report more than 6,500 containers at Karachi ports, including about 3,000 carrying Malaysian palm oil, while roughly 600–700 remain at Chaman and Torkham.
  • The decision expands earlier, narrower permissions for consignments from Vietnam and Malaysia, as humanitarian shipments cleared in Pakistan still face entry restrictions inside Afghanistan.