Pakistan loses $177m monthly due to trade shutdown with Afghanistan

KABUL (Pajhwok): Pakistani media have reported that exporters in the country are losing about $177 million each month due to the closure of trade routes with Afghanistan. Continued disruptions could significantly weaken Pakistan’s long-term access to Afghan and Central Asian markets.

According to reports, Pakistan closed all trade routes with Afghanistan nearly three months ago following violations of Afghan territory by Pakistani forces and attacks near the Durand Line, which prompted retaliatory strikes by Afghan forces.

In response, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) also suspended trade with Pakistan and urged industrialists and traders to use alternative trade routes. Afghan officials stated that repeated closures of trade routes and the politicisation of commercial and humanitarian matters left the IEA with no choice but to take this action.

A Pakistani media outlet has reported that exporters are losing around 50 billion Pakistani rupees per month (approximately $177 million) due to the ongoing closure. Prolonged disruption could permanently weaken Pakistan’s access to Afghan and Central Asian markets.

Trade leaders from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have said that the closures have disrupted supply chains, halted exports, and undermined Pakistan’s role as a key trade corridor from South Asia to Central Asia.

Junaid Altaf, President of the Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: “This is a very serious issue that is becoming increasingly critical. The business community has been severely affected by the route closures; not only traders, but workers, industrialists, customs representatives, factories, and the entire logistics and transport chain are impacted.”

Altaf added that approximately 12,000 containers are currently waiting due to the closed routes. Reports indicate that traders have urged authorities to temporarily reopen the routes to mitigate the resulting delays.

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