On the instructions of the Government of Balochistan, the corridor facility for travel to Iran has been closed, and on April 1, a formal inauguration of the visa regime has been carried out at the Taftan border.
Movement across the Pakistan-Iran border through the “Rahdari” document has been immediately suspended.
The provincial government had stopped issuing Rahdari permits on March 15. From April 1, the visa regime has been formally enforced.
Rahdari System Suspended, Passport and Visa Now Mandatory
Now, for traveling to Iran, even residents of Balochistan’s border districts must have passports and visas.
The Government of Balochistan has asked the public not to attempt to obtain “Rahdari” (temporary permit), as it will not be issued to anyone.
A formal notification regarding the termination of the Rahdari system has been issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Chagai. The Deputy Commissioner has directed the public to comply with government orders.
What Was the Rahdari Facility?
There was a special facility for permanent residents of Balochistan’s border districts, under which they could travel to Iran without a visa or passport, using only a document called “Rahdari.”
This official document was also accepted by Iranian authorities.
Residents of border districts such as Gwadar, Kech, Panjgur, Washuk, and Chagai were allowed to travel to Iran without passports or visas.
This permit was issued from the offices of the Assistant Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner of the district.
Typically, this permit was valid for 15 days, and local residents could obtain Rahdari permission twice a year to travel to Iran.
Pakistan Officially Ends Decades-Old System
Pakistan has formally abolished the decades-old Rahdari system for the movement of Balochistan residents to Iran, and it has now been made mandatory to have a passport and visa for travel to Iran.
On March 15, 2026, the government had announced that every individual crossing from Balochistan into Iran must possess a valid passport and visa.
The administrations of Gwadar and several other border districts had already stopped issuing new Rahdari cards.
In Chagai, today, the Deputy Commissioner has issued a formal notification.
Reason Behind the Decision
According to the government, the purpose of this decision is to improve border security and ensure implementation of international standards for international travel.
Key Pakistan-Iran Border Crossing Points
In Balochistan, movement and trade with Iran take place through the following key locations:
- Taftan border crossing (Chaghi District) is the largest and most historic crossing used for travel to Iran.
- Gabd-Rimdan border (Gwadar district) is the second major international crossing used for travel to Iran.
- Chaidagi Panjgur crossing is a new border corridor that has been recently inaugurated.
- Katagar Border Crossing Point has been officially opened on the Pakistan-Iran border in Balochistan’s Mashkhel district recently.
One Document Regime Fully Implemented
According to the decision of the Government of Pakistan, the “One Document Regime” (passport and visa only) has been enforced from March 15, 2026, at all border points connected with Iran, including Taftan (Chagai).
The formal inauguration of the new border policy and passport-based travel was carried out on March 31, 2026.
This is why news regarding the enforcement of the visa regime is circulating again today.
Complete Closure of Rahdari Issuance
From April 1, the district administration of Chagai has completely stopped issuing new Rahdari cards.
Now, even local residents must show passports to cross the border.
Similar Policy at Pakistan-Afghanistan Border
Similarly, the One Document Regime has also been implemented at the Chaman border with Afghanistan.
