Pakistan has taken a decisive and overdue step to bring both transparency and security to its Afghan transit trade by introducing non-intrusive inspections (NII) for all containers passing through its borders. Instructed by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), customs authorities are now equipped to scan 30 percent of imported and exported containers using advanced X-ray and gamma-ray technologies, ensuring goods can be inspected without physically opening the containers. This is not a piecemeal reform. Officials plan to expand the initiative gradually to include non-containerized cargo, signaling a comprehensive overhaul of a system that has long been exploited by smugglers and traffickers.
Even consignments previously granted “green channel” status, considered low-risk and fast-tracked through customs, will now be scanned, reflecting a shift towards vigilance over convenience. The rationale behind this move is multifaceted. Pakistan seeks to streamline trade, shorten dwell times at checkpoints, enhance revenue collection, and fortify border security. Each scanned image is integrated into customs’ risk management and centralized audit systems, aligning with the global standards established by the World Customs Organization (WCO) SAFE framework. For Afghan transit trade in particular, FBR mandates 100 percent scanning of containers, with images ideally verified through AI-driven algorithms at entry and exit points.
Shipments will be evaluated using intelligence-led assessments, allowing customs to identify and intercept prohibited or hazardous items—including arms, narcotics, and radioactive materials—before they enter Pakistan’s supply chain or continue to Afghanistan. Operational discipline is central to this initiative. Terminal operators and service providers are required to maintain NII equipment at 98 percent functionality, ensuring it meets strict technical standards, such as scanning steel containers to a minimum depth of 340 millimeters. Every image captured is encrypted and transmitted in real-time to the Chief Commissioner, preventing tampering or deletion. Customs officers then compare scanned cargo against traders’ declarations, identifying discrepancies and potential illicit activity.
Beyond preventing smuggling, the system also highlights the risk of theft or damage during transit, providing an unprecedented layer of accountability to a trade network that spans thousands of kilometers. The introduction of NII technology is more than a technical upgrade; it is a statement of intent. Pakistan has long served as the principal gateway for Afghan trade, with 70 to 80 percent of Afghanistan’s imports and exports passing through its roads and ports. Yet the system has historically been abused. Smuggling under the guise of Afghan transit trade has cost Pakistan roughly 342 billion rupees annually, while Afghanistan itself has suffered losses estimated at $45 million in a single month during the closure of the Torkham border.
Goods that once reached Afghanistan in three to four days via Karachi now face delays of six to eight days via Iran and over a month through Central Asia, highlighting both the fragility and strategic importance of Pakistan’s trade corridors. The disruption has tangible consequences. Thousands of trucks were stranded during the border closure, with Afghan crops and fruits either spoiling in transit or being sold at significantly lower prices within Afghanistan itself. Within weeks, financial losses for Afghanistan reportedly exceeded $200 million, a stark illustration of how deeply interconnected the region’s economies are. By asserting control over these transit points, Pakistan is signaling that it will no longer tolerate the exploitation of its trade routes for illegal activity.
This approach protects not only national revenue but also the integrity of regional supply chains, ensuring goods move efficiently, transparently, and safely. Equally important, the policy addresses long-standing security concerns. In a region where trade corridors often double as conduits for narcotics, illegal arms, and terrorism, the NII system provides a crucial layer of oversight. It enables authorities to detect threats before they reach civilian populations or enter markets, enhancing both economic and national security. Moreover, it sends a broader message to neighboring states and international partners: Pakistan is prepared to implement modern, standards-compliant measures to regulate trade while safeguarding its sovereignty and borders.
The initiative also demonstrates that trade facilitation and security need not be mutually exclusive. Modern border management requires a careful balance between efficiency and oversight, and Pakistan’s approach exemplifies this principle. By embedding technology, intelligence, and operational discipline into customs processes, the country is taking a proactive step towards meeting global standards while addressing endemic regional challenges. In addition, this policy has wider diplomatic and economic implications. Pakistan has historically supported Afghanistan during periods of crisis, hosting millions of refugees and facilitating trade in times of insecurity. Yet repeated abuses of transit systems have undermined trust and imposed tangible costs on both countries.
The move towards NII signals a recalibration of this relationship, combining cooperation with accountability. It encourages Afghan authorities to engage seriously in regulating trade while signaling that Pakistan will enforce standards to protect its national interests. Ultimately, the introduction of non-intrusive inspections represents more than a technical reform. It is a statement about Pakistan’s determination to secure its borders, protect its economy, and uphold the rule of law. It is a response to decades of systemic smuggling, illicit trade, and regional instability. By leveraging technology, intelligence, and operational rigor, Pakistan is not only defending its financial and security interests but also paving the way for a more transparent and responsible regional trade ecosystem.
In a landscape where trade corridors have long been exploited, this initiative demonstrates that reform, accountability, and security can coexist, setting a benchmark for the wider region. Pakistan’s Afghan transit trade corridors are now entering a new era—one in which vigilance, technology, and oversight redefine how commerce moves across borders. For the country, this is both a practical and symbolic step: practical in protecting revenue, curbing smuggling, and safeguarding supply chains; symbolic in asserting sovereignty and a commitment to transparent, responsible governance. The success of this initiative will depend on sustained implementation, cooperation from trade operators, and continued political will.
