Iran–Pakistan border

Description

The border begins at the tripoint with Afghanistan at the Kuh-i-Malik Salih mountain, then follows a straight line going southeast, then a series of mountain ridges, seasonal streams, and the Tahlab River southwest to the vicinity of Hamun-e Mashkel lake. The boundary then veers sharply southwards via a series of straight lines, then east along some mountains to the Mashkil River, which it follows southwards, before reaching the Nahang River which it follows westwards. It leaves the Nahang and then goes overland via various mountain ridges and straight-line segments southwards to Gwatar Bay in the Gulf of Oman.

History

The modern boundary cuts through the region known as Balochistan, an area long contested between various empires centred in Iran (Persia), Afghanistan, and Pakistan. From the 18th century onwards, the British gradually took control of most of South Asia, including what is now Pakistan, bringing it into close proximity with lands traditionally claimed by Iranian empires. In 1871, the British (representing the Khan of Kalat) and Qajar Iran agreed to define their mutual frontier; a boundary commission surveyed the area the following year but did not mark the border on the ground. Some minor alignment issues stemming from this were tidied up via another joint treaty in 1905.

In 1947, the British departed, and Pakistan gained independence and British India ended. Iran and Pakistan confirmed their mutual border by treaty in 1958–59, fully mapping the border area and demarcating it on the ground with pillars.

In June 2023, there was a terrorist attack at the Iran-Pakistan border. Some Pakistan border patrol officers were killed. A few days before that, there was another terrorist attack at the border and 5 Iranian border patrol officers were killed.

On 16 June 2025, Pakistan indefinitely closed the border with Iran amid the Iran–Israel War.

Border barriers

Main article: Iran–Pakistan border barrier

Iranian fencing project (2011)

The 3 ft (91.4 cm) thick and 10 ft (3.05 m) high concrete wall, fortified with steel rods, will span the 700 km frontier stretching from Taftan to Mand. The project will include large earth and stone embankments and deep ditches to deter illegal trade crossings and drug smuggling to both sides. The border region is already dotted with police observation towers and fortress-style garrisons for troops. Iran and Pakistan do not have border disputes or other irredentist claims, and Pakistan's Foreign Ministry has stated, "Pakistan has no reservation because Iran is constructing the fence on its territory."

History and stated purpose

The wall is being constructed to stop illegal border crossings{{cite web | access-date = 2007-06-11 | access-date = 2007-06-11

Reactions to the barrier

The Foreign Ministry of Pakistan has stated that Iran has the right to erect border fencing in its territory.{{cite web|url=http://www.mofa.gov.pk/Spokesperson/2007/May/Spokes_28_05_07.htm |access-date=2007-10-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019143309/http://www.mofa.gov.pk/Spokesperson/2007/May/Spokes_28_05_07.htm |archive-date=19 October 2007 | access-date = 2007-06-11 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927222401/http://www.dawn.com/2007/05/27/top8.htm |archive-date = 27 September 2007}} and demanded a stop to the construction of the barrier.

Pakistani fencing project (2019)

In 2019, Pakistan announced its intention to fence its border with Iran. In May 2019, Pakistan allocated $18.6 million to fund the border fencing project. In September 2021, Pakistan approved an additional $58.5 million for border fencing. As of mid-2021, Pakistan had completed 46% of the border fencing and aimed to finish the project by December 2021. As of January 2022, Pakistan had fenced 80% of the border. The Interior Ministry confirmed plans to fence the remaining border sections.

Border crossings and markets

Main article: List of Iran–Pakistan border crossings

On the Pakistani side, the Frontier Corps oversees border security and immigration. In Iran, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards are responsible for border security.

Pakistan and Iran share four official border crossings. Taftan and Gabd serve both pedestrians and trade, while Mand and Chadgi are exclusively for trade. Since Iran drives on the right, and Pakistan on the left, the border crossings require road traffic to change sides.

Additionally, both countries have agreed to establish six joint-border markets to enhance trade. Initially, three markets will open at the border points of Kuhak-Chadgi, Rimdan-Gabd, and Pishin-Mand areas. The remaining three markets will be established in the second phase. Currently, the first three border markets out of six have been constructed and are operational at Gabd, Mand, and Chadgi.

Road

Rail

• Taftan / Mirjaveh, on the line between Quetta and Zahedan

Settlements near the border

Iran

• Lar Marud
• Zahedan
• Kacheh Rud
• Mirjaveh
• Ladiz
• Narreh Now
• Jaleq
• Kalleh
• Fahreh
• Murt
• Esfandak
• Kavari
• Pishin
• Kushak

Pakistan

• Sohtagan
• Qila Ladgasht
• Washap
• Sar-i Parom
• Girbum
• Sohrag
• Abdui
• Taftan
• Sirag
• Kurumb
• Jiwani

References

References

1. (17 October 2009). "Geography: The borders of Pakistan".
2. "Iran Chamber Society: Facts and Figures".
3. (2023-06-01). "Pakistan's military says 2 soldiers killed in militant attack near border with Iran".
4. (2023-05-21). "State TV says armed group kills 5 Iranian border guards in clash near Pakistani border".
5. (17 June 2025). "Borders closing and airspace shut as Israel-Iran conflict rages".
6. Dahl, Fredrik. (May 13, 2007). "INTERVIEW-"Iranian wall" seen hindering drug smugglers-UN". [[Reuters]].
7. Subramanian, Nirupama. (March 3, 2007). "Iran fences border with Pakistan". [[The Hindu]].
8. (28 May 2007). "Pakistan defends Iran right to erect border fencing". [[Islamic Republic News Agency]].
9. (28 May 2007). "Governor Balochistan should be replaced by local Baloch: Gatchkol Ali". Pakistan News Service.
10. (2007). "'Anti-Baloch' wall on Pak-Iran border opposed". [[The News International]].
11. (29 April 2020). "Pakistan approves $18.6 million to fence border with Iran".
12. (16 September 2021). "At a pre-ECC meeting, the Ministry of Finance agreed to provide Rs10bn for border fencing.".
13. (13 August 2020). "Pakistan army says border fencing with Iran to be completed by end of 2021".
14. "2680kms fencing along Pak-Afghan border completed, Sh Rashid tells Senate".
15. Baloch, Behram. (2023-04-09). "Business market at Pak-Iran border".
16. (2023-05-18). "Top leaders of Pakistan, Iran inaugurate border market in their first meeting in 10 years".
17. "Pakistan establishing border markets to increase trade with Iran".