Afghan-Pak Border Crossing Closure Halts Pakistan’s Trade With Central Asia

On Friday, the Express Tribune newspaper reported that trade between Pakistan and Central Asian countries has halted due to the closure of five crossings on the Afghan border.

Traders said that Chaman, Torkham, Ghulam Khan, Angoor Ada and Kharlachi border crossings are currently closed.

Junaid Ismail Makda, the head of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI), expressed concern, stating that the closure of these crossings will cause significant losses to the traders.

He emphasised that traders are worried about the perishable goods ferried by trucks due to the ongoing situation.

He emphasised that the current circumstance is affecting bilateral trade and also highlighted the uncertainty stemming from the cessation of trade with Central Asian states due to the closure of key border crossing points.

Ismail said that if the closure of these five crossings persists, Pakistan's economic stability will encounter a significant challenge. Urging the responsible authorities, he called for a swift resolution of this issue, stressing on the potential risk to trade relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Torkham crossing was closed to trucks on January 13.

Taliban officials said that this key crossing was closed due to a disagreement over the visas and passports of Afghan drivers.

The Taliban-controlled Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA) reported, citing Noor Mohammad Hanif, the Taliban's head of the information and culture administration in Nangarhar, that Torkham border crossing was closed for transit by Pakistan.

He stated that in response to Pakistan's actions, the Taliban is now requesting passports and visas from Pakistani truck drivers.

Now, a week after this event, Ismail Makda says that not only the Torkham crossing is closed, but Chaman, Ghulam Khan, Angoor Ada and Kharlachi crossings are also closed to trucks.