Pakistani Traders Suffer Heavy Losses Due to Plant Protection Restrictions at Gabd-Remdan Border

Gwadar: Pakistani traders face severe financial setbacks due to stringent plant protection measures imposed at the Gabd-Remdan border between Pakistan and Iran. Maqbool Alam, Secretary General of the Pakistan Businessmen Forum, has voiced deep concerns over the situation, highlighting how these regulations have led to significant waste of perishable goods, particularly watermelons, resulting in losses worth millions of rupees.

Alam stressed that while plant protection measures are essential, their current implementation creates undue hardship for traders. He pointed out that large consignments of watermelons, a major export item, have been left to spoil due to prolonged delays at the border, severely impacting the business community.

To address the issue, Alam urged authorities to take immediate steps to streamline the plant protection inspection process and mitigate further losses. He put forth the following recommendations:

• Enhanced Coordination: Strengthen collaboration between Pakistani and Iranian plant protection departments to ensure smoother border clearance.
• Increased Inspection Capacity: Allocate more resources and personnel to expedite plant protection checks at the Gabd-Remdan border.
• Clear and Transparent Protocols: Establish well-defined and communicated inspection procedures to minimize confusion and delays.
• Timely Information Updates: Ensure traders receive prompt notifications regarding any regulatory changes to prevent unexpected disruptions.
• Priority for Perishable Goods: Implement special measures to accelerate inspections for perishable commodities to reduce spoilage.

“The Pakistan Businessmen Forum urges the government to take swift and effective action to resolve these pressing concerns,” Alam concluded. “We remain committed to working alongside authorities to develop a sustainable solution that safeguards both agricultural exports and the livelihoods of our traders.”

The call for action comes as traders and exporters continue to suffer mounting losses, with hopes that authorities will intervene promptly to facilitate smoother trade operations across the Gabd-Remdan border.

Published in The Gwadar Post, 10 March 2025.