March 7, 2026
By Dauran Baloch
QUETTA
The recent attack on Iran by Israel and the United States and the subsequnt tensions has now begun affecting cross-border trade in Balochistan, with traders in Quetta reporting a slowdown in the supply of goods from Iran and a rise in the prices of several imported items.
Local traders say Balochistan’s economy, particularly in border districts and Quetta’s wholesale markets, is closely linked with legal border trade with Iran. Any disruption in the flow of goods, they say, directly affects businesses and thousands of people dependent on the trade.
Abdul Rahim Kakar, Central President of Anjuman Tajiran All Pakistan, says that annual legal border trade between Pakistan and Iran was worth billions of rupees and served as a lifeline for traders in Balochistan.
“The recent tensions in the region have started slowing down the movement of goods through border routes,” he said. “Which could have serious consequences for the province’s economy.
“Thousands of people in Balochistan earn their livelihood through border trade and the buying and selling of Iranian goods and fuel.” He added that continued disruption could lead to economic difficulties for traders and labourers alike.
Meanwhile, Yaseen Mengal, the Secretary General of Anjuman Tajiran All Pakistan, said many markets in Quetta relied heavily on goods imported from Iran.
According to him, a variety of products, including dry fruits, cakes, chocolates and other food items, were commonly brought to Balochistan from Iran and sold in local markets.
“If the current situation continues, the supply chain will remain disrupted, which will not only affect businesses but also lead to an increase in prices,” he said.
Traders dealing specifically in imported products say they are already witnessing early signs of price hikes.
Baaz Muhammad, a date dealer in Quetta, said the demand for dates usually rises during the holy month of Ramazan. However, due to the prevailing tensions in Iran, the prices of dates have already begun to increase.
“If the situation worsens or trade routes remain affected, the prices of dates may increase further in the coming days,” he warned.
Traders not the only ones affected
The situation is also impacting daily wage workers who depend on the loading, unloading and transportation of goods arriving from Iran.
Saadullah, a daily wage labourer, said many workers used to earn their living by working with traders dealing in Iranian goods.
“Earlier, we would earn enough daily wages to run our households, but now work opportunities have decreased as the arrival of goods has slowed,” he said.
In Quetta’s well-known Choor Mill Gali market, where Iranian dry fruits are widely traded, shopkeepers say the supply shortage has started affecting businesses.
Haji Naimatullah, a dry fruit seller, said many shops in the market were facing shortages of Iranian products.
“When goods stop coming from Iran, our shops begin to empty and sales drop sharply,” he says, adding that if the situation persists, it will become difficult for traders to even pay shop rents.
Traders and analysts say the ongoing geopolitical tensions could have wider economic implications for Balochistan if the situation continues for a prolonged period.
They warn that the province’s border economy, small traders and labourers remain particularly vulnerable to any disruption in trade with neighbouring Iran.