Pakistan is ready to open the Badini border crossing with Afghanistan once road infrastructure improvements are completed, the Interior Ministry informed a Senate committee on Monday.
Badini offers the shortest route for vehicles traveling from Karachi and Punjab to Afghanistan’s Ghazni province and Kabul. The crossing, inaugurated in September 2020, has remained non-functional due to poor road conditions, limited amenities, and insufficient support from the Afghan side.
During a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Commerce, the Interior Ministry’s Special Secretary said Pakistan is fully prepared to open the crossing. He noted that the Customs Department needs three months to make operational arrangements, while the FIA’s readiness report has already been submitted.
The Special Secretary emphasized that the main road leading to the Badini border lies 130 kilometers away, making it challenging to fully operationalize the crossing at present. He urged the Balochistan government to expedite development work to enable the deployment of FIA officials.
Committee Chairperson Anusha Rahman inquired about development on the Afghan side. The official replied that Pakistan is ready to open the border once infrastructure issues are resolved.
Earlier, the Senate Standing Committee had criticized the Commerce Ministry for delays regarding the Badini crossing and the issuance of a revised notification for barter trade with Iran. The committee stressed the need to streamline procedures, appoint focal persons, and align practices with successful international trade models.
The committee also directed authorities to review policies for reciprocal establishment of chambers of commerce, ensure embassy-based verification instead of NOCs, and engage trade officers abroad to promote Pakistan’s business interests.
Officials confirmed that once the Balochistan government completes road improvements, Pakistan will be ready to open the Badini crossing promptly, allowing smoother trade and travel between the two countries.
The operationalization of the border is expected to boost trade, facilitate movement of goods and travelers, and strengthen economic ties with Afghanistan.
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