TFP Bureau, New Delhi, May 3, 2025: The Government of India has officially prohibited the import of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, effective immediately. The move, enforced by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is being described as a step taken in the interest of national security and public policy.
The order, issued via Notification No. 06/2025-26 dated May 2, 2025, adds a new clause—Para 2.20A—to the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023. The directive explicitly bans both direct imports from Pakistan and indirect imports via third countries or alternate trade routes.
According to the notification, “Direct or indirect import or transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, whether or not freely importable or otherwise permitted, shall be prohibited with immediate effect, until further orders.”
The ban is sweeping in nature and includes all categories of goods regardless of their earlier status under India’s import policy. While no specific incident has been cited in the public release, the government’s language signals that the decision stems from broader national interest considerations.
This move follows a gradual deterioration of trade ties between the two nations, which have remained largely frozen since India revoked Pakistan’s Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status in 2019. Formal bilateral trade has been minimal in recent years, but the new notification closes any remaining loopholes, including indirect imports.
The full text of the notification is available on the DGFT’s official website: https://dgft.gov.in.
