GWADAR: A massive pod of more than 500 dolphins was spotted near a fishing boat in the coastal waters off Gwadar.

Marine experts and environmentalists have described the sighting of such a large group of dolphins as a positive indicator of abundant marine life, rich food sources and a healthy ocean ecosystem in the region.

Experts said the dolphins have been scientifically identified as Tursiops aduncus, commonly known as Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins.

Pakistan’s coastal waters, particularly along the Balochistan coast, are home to diverse marine life, including around 26 recorded species of cetaceans, such as dolphins, whales and porpoises.

Highlighting the ecological significance of the sighting, marine conservationists urged authorities and local fishing communities to strengthen conservation efforts.

They stressed that protecting dolphins, whales, sea turtles and other marine species is essential to maintaining the delicate balance of the coastal ecosystem.

Our Staff Reporter adds from Karachi: Amir Dad Khan, who was captaining a fishing boat, spotted a remarkable group of more than 500 of these dolphins leaping near his vessel in Gwadar, according to experts associated with the World Wide Fund for Nature Pakistan (WWF-P).

“The sighting of such a large pod engaging in playful activities in the shallow waters is a promising sign of a robust coastal ecosystem along Baloch­istan’s shores — and especially in Gwadar,” said Muhamad Moazzam Khan, WWF-P’s technical adviser.

He added that it’s an encouraging indicator of biodiversity and a heal-thy food chain in both coastal and offshore waters.

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2026

GWADAR: Pakistan reopened its border crossing with Iran at Gabd-Rimdan on Saturday, restoring bilateral trade and allowing stranded trucks carrying LPG and essential food commodities to resume movement after a weeklong suspension that began on Oct 17.

Border officials cleared commercial consignments holding a consignment note dated Oct 16 or earlier to cross at the Gabd-Rimdan point, known as Gate 250, in Gwadar.

Mir Naveed Jan Kalmati, president of the Gwadar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, confirmed that trade operations resumed on Saturday morning.

“Pakistan has opened the border with Iran at Gabd-Rimdan this morning and allowed trucks and other vehicles to move toward Iran and Pakistan with import and export goods,” Kalmati said.

Kalmati welcomed the decision, noting that the resumption of cross-border commerce will bring immediate relief to traders and transporters stranded on both sides.

He added that the restored supply chain is expected to ease a nationwide LPG shortage and reduce soaring energy and food prices across Pakistan.

Saturday’s reopening came after local administrators reviewed the security situation and deployed additional forces to protect trade convoys following an attack earlier in the week.

On Thursday, unidentified gunmen had targeted the backlog of freight vehicles parked near the closed Gabd-Rimdan crossing, setting dozens of trucks ablaze and damaging several others.

Those trucks had been stranded since Oct 17, when Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce abruptly suspended trade at both the Gabd-Rimdan and Taftan crossings. The ministry issued a memorandum withdrawing an Oct 3 trade order with immediate effect without specifying a reason for the halt.

Published in Dawn, October 25th, 2026