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Afghanistan Finds New Trade Routes as Pakistan Border Stays Shut

Pakistan is suffering significant economic losses due to the prolonged closure of its border crossings with Afghanistan, which has halted bilateral trade. Afghanistan has pivoted to alternative trade routes through Central Asia and other channels, preventing a serious shortage of goods in its markets. The border has remained shut for nearly three months following clashes between Pakistani forces and the Taliban, despite multiple rounds of talks. Protesters in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province have demanded the immediate reopening of the Torkham border, citing an "economic murder" of thousands reliant on cross-border trade.

Key Points: Afghanistan Trade Shifts from Pakistan to New Routes

  • Pakistan faces massive trade losses
  • Afghanistan uses Central Asian routes
  • No major goods shortage reported
  • Border closed after clashes with Taliban
3 min read

No shortage of goods in Afghanistan as Kabul turns to alternative trade routes

Afghanistan bypasses Pakistan border closure with alternative trade channels, avoiding major shortages as bilateral trade halts.

"After a month of closure, Afghanistan turned to alternative trade routes. Imports are continuing through other channels and there is no serious shortage of goods. - Khan Jan Alokozay"

Kabul, Jan 7

Pakistan continues to face massive losses from the prolonged shutdown of border crossings with Afghanistan as trade between two nations remains halted, the local media in Kabul reported quoting an official of Afghanistan's chamber of commerce.

Khan Jan Alokozay, a board member of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI), said Afghanistan previously used to conduct trade worth USD 200 million with Pakistan in a month, majority of them being imports from Islamabad, Afghan media outlet Amu TV reported. However, trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan has stopped after closure of border crossings.

Speaking to Amu TV, Alokozay said, "After a month of closure, Afghanistan turned to alternative trade routes. Imports are continuing through other channels and there is no serious shortage of goods."

He said the fresh fruit export season of Afghanistan has ended and the mineral exports were being exported through alternative routes, including through Central Asian countries. The prices of some goods have increased in markets of Afghanistan but products remained available in the market and the situation is manageable.

Border crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan has remained shut for nearly three months, halting bilateral trade between two nations. The border closures came after clashes erupted between Pakistani forces and the Taliban that lasted for eight days. The border crossings have not reopened despite several rounds of talks held between officials of Afghanistan and Pakistan, aimed at easing tensions.

On January 4, people held a protest in the Landi Kotal area of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to demand an immediate reopening of the Torkham border. Traders, transporters, tribal elders, daily wagers, activists of political parties and civil society were part of the protest held under the banner of All Borders Coordinators Council.

Representatives from various organisations and groups, who were directly impacted by the border shutdown with Afghanistan, participated in the protest, Pakistan's leading daily Dawn reported. While addressing the protesters, the speakers said that the border closure has caused economic murder of thousands of people, the majority of them being tribesmen, as they were fully reliant on the cross-border trade.

They called the Torkham border an important business gateway to Central Asia and said that the border crossing served as an economic hub for thousands of families, as their livelihoods were linked to it. According to them, all commercial activities have stopped in the town due to the border closure.

The speakers said that hundreds of families faced extreme poverty and economic problems due to border closure, with many of them forced to take loans for their survival. They urged Afghanistan and Pakistan not to relate bilateral trade to political and security issues and to allow people to travel frequently on both sides of the border.

"We also demand that influential tribal elders and trade representatives shall be made part of future Pak-Afghan peace and trade dialogue as they have always helped resolve thorny issues between the two countries in the past," they said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
It's the common people, the daily wage workers and small traders on both sides, who suffer the most in these political standoffs. My heart goes out to the families forced into poverty and loans. Dialogue must include their representatives, as the protestors said.
A
Aman W
From an Indian perspective, stability in Afghanistan is crucial. If they are finding alternative routes and managing shortages, that's a positive sign for regional trade resilience. Perhaps there are opportunities for Chabahar port to play a bigger role here?
S
Sarah B
While it's good Afghanistan is adapting, a three-month border closure is extreme. It highlights how political and security issues shouldn't hold basic economic survival hostage. Both governments need to show more responsibility towards their citizens' livelihoods.
V
Vikram M
The report says "prices of some goods have increased" but the situation is "manageable." That's a very diplomatic way of putting it. I wonder about the real ground situation for the average Afghan. Hope the alternative routes are sustainable and not just a temporary fix.
K
Kavya N
This is a classic case of cutting off your nose to spite your face. Pakistan is facing massive losses, and for what? The people protesting in Landi Kotal are right—trade and politics must be separated. Wishing peace and prosperity for all our neighbours. 🙏

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