Pakistan shuts border with Iran for an indefinite period

The Balochistan government has issued orders to close for an indefinite period all borders and crossing points with Iran in Turbat, Panjgur and Gwadar in view of the war between Iran and Israel.

- Tariq Butt | Agence France-Presse

"Border facilities in all five districts - Chaghi, Washuk, Panjgur, Kech and Gwadar - have been suspended," Qadir Bakhsh Pirkani, a senior official in Balochistan province, which borders Iran, told AFP.

Crossing into Iran "has been suspended until further notice," said Atta-ul Munim, an official at one of the crossings in Chaghi district. However, there was "no ban on trade" activities at the border and Pakistani nationals needing to return to their the country from Iran can cross, he added.

"We're expecting around 200 Pakistani students coming today," Atta said.

Meanwhile, the fuel crisis in Balochistan has taken a serious turn amid the escalating Israel-Iran conflict, as the supply of Iranian oil through the border has been badly affected, leading to the closure of a large number of petrol pumps.

However, the Balochistan government claimed that there was no fuel shortage in the province, as most petrol pumps were open in Quetta. In a statement, its spokesperson Shahid Rind refuted the impression that the province was facing a fuel shortage.