Pakistan has suspended the movement of Afghan transit cargo indefinitely and directed all terminals to offload loaded containers, officials said on Thursday.

According to the Pakistan-Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PACCI) President, Junaid Makda, the daily volume of Afghan transit trade is around 1,000 containers.

However, since Wednesday, movement through both directions of the Torkham crossing has been suspended.

Traders said some food-laden containers were sold en route, while others were stored in private warehouses following the suspension of cargo movement.

The decision followed a high-level meeting chaired by the Director General of Afghan Transit Trade at the Customs House headquarters in Karachi.

Subsequently, the Directorate of Transit Trade issued a general order to all relevant stations.

The order stated that transportation under Afghan transit trade was being suspended indefinitely as customs stations in Quetta and Peshawar had run out of space to accommodate additional containers.

It instructed all terminals to offload vehicles carrying loaded Afghan transit containers, cancel all gate passes, and halt transportation until further notice.

Following the issuance of the order, all terminals at Karachi Port and Port Qasim have halted clearance of Afghan transit trade consignments.