تلاش افغانستان برای راه‌های بدیل تجارت با پاکستان

It has now been fifteen days since the commercial crossings between Afghanistan and Pakistan were closed.

According to Afghan traders, this period has resulted in millions of dollars in direct and indirect losses for traders on both sides.

In response to the challenges and the suspension of Afghan goods transit through the Karachi port, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has announced efforts to establish alternative trade routes.

Nooruddin Azizi, Minister of Industry and Commerce, stated that this initiative aims to support Afghan farmers, traders, and industrialists.

He said: “The routes are closed, Afghanistan’s products are not being exported, and on the other hand, transit through Pakistan is also halted. We are striving to establish reasonable alternative routes so that Afghan products can find suitable markets in the region. We’ve been working toward this goal over the past four years and have now accelerated our efforts.”

Meanwhile, the Afghanistan–Pakistan Joint Chamber of Commerce reports that the closure of crossings has caused substantial losses to the private sector in both countries, effectively halting exports and transit.

Officials from the chamber emphasize the need to separate politics from trade to strengthen economic relations.

Naqibullah Safi, CEO of the Joint Chamber, said: “The private sector and chambers on both sides are in contact with officials, including the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, seeking solutions to this issue. Unfortunately, it depends on politics. If it were only a trade issue, the reopening would not be far off.”

Some Afghan traders also report that a portion of their export goods has spoiled due to the closures.

However, they see the pursuit of alternative markets as a positive step toward reducing Afghanistan’s trade dependence on Pakistan.

Omid Haidari, a trader, stated: “Exports through Torkham, Ghulam Khan, and Spin Boldak are always disrupted, causing losses for our traders. The government should offer supportive incentives to encourage exporters to use alternative ports like Nimroz and Islam Qala for trade with other markets such as Turkey and India.”

On the other hand, some Pakistani media outlets have quoted the country’s Foreign Ministry as saying that trade transit with Afghanistan is currently suspended and crossings will remain closed until security conditions are reviewed.

Tahir Andrabi, spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, stated that the lives of Pakistani citizens are more valuable than any commercial goods.