TAFTAN: The Iranian authorities closed the border with Pakistan at Taftan after clashes between the protesters and security forces in Zahedan, the capital city of Sistan-Baluchestan.

According to sources in the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the immigration and transit gate for trade and tax-free-trade gate, Zero Point, remained closed from the Iranian side.

But 780 people awaiting on the Iranian side were allowed return immigration clearance, they added.

The FIA sources said that no formal intimation was conveyed to them about the closure of the border.

A Levies Force officer told Dawn that the Iranian authorities late Friday night verbally informed the local administration about closure of the border, but no time frame was given in this regard.

The border areas might face shortage of Iranian oil and edible commodities if the prevailing situation continued in Zahe­dan, a resident of Dalbandin Ali Mohammad expressed concerns while talking to Dawn.

Published in Dawn, October 2nd, 2022