Pakistan-Afghanistan Chamber Head Urges Intervention in Border Closure Trade Crisis

Junaid Magsi, president of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry, sent a letter to Pakistan's Ministry of Commerce, the Federal Board of Revenue chairman, customs officials, and the Director General of Transit Trade. He called for immediate intervention by Islamabad to address the worsening trade crisis caused by the prolonged closure of border crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Following recent clashes between Pakistan and the Taliban, authorities in Islamabad closed the border crossings on 19 Mizan. Trade and transit between the two countries have been halted for more than one month.

In the letter, Magsi stated that thousands of containers carrying commercial and transit goods, as well as shipments from Central Asian republics, remain stuck across Pakistan. He noted that the prolonged stoppage of these containers has resulted in significant financial losses for traders, transport companies, and transit firms.

Magsi emphasized that many Pakistani traders are now required to pay up to $200 daily for the parking of their trucks. The letter indicated that bilateral and transit trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan has an annual capacity of more than $5 billion, which plays a direct role in Pakistan's economy and strengthens its regional position.

According to the chamber, the volume of trade has decreased by less than $1 billion due to repeated disruptions at the borders, particularly the current closure of the crossings.

Recently, the Taliban deputy economic minister banned imports of medicine from Pakistan and instructed traders to seek alternative routes for trade and transit. In line with an order from Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban Minister of Industry and Commerce traveled to Iran to expand trade relations.

At the same time, the Taliban announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Uzbekistan for the export of Afghan agricultural products. The spokesman for the Taliban governor in Balkh stated that Afghan agricultural products will be exported via Uzbekistan's air routes to markets in Central Asia, South Asia, and Europe.

Magsi said that while the Joint Chamber fully supports Pakistan's national security requirements, the observation of losses suffered by individuals whose income depends on trade at these crossings is concerning. He stated, 'The economic pressure on traders, transport companies, and workers has now reached a critical stage.' He added that the chambers of Pakistan and Afghanistan are in close contact and are in a suitable position to jointly facilitate this process.

The letter also mentioned that hundreds of vehicles carrying commercial shipments for Afghan importers are stuck at the Torkham, Chaman, Ghulam Khan, and other border points, creating a severe operational and financial deadlock.