زیان ۷۰۰ میلیون افغانی تجاران افغان درپی بسته شدن گذرگاه‌ها با پاکستان

Following the ceasefire agreement between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the joint chamber of commerce of both countries has emphasized the urgent need to reopen trade crossings to prevent further financial damage to traders.

The chamber has announced that, due to the prolonged closure of trade routes between the two countries, Afghan traders have suffered approximately 700 million Afghanis in financial losses.

According to the chamber, as a result of the blocked routes, around 500 trucks carrying fresh fruits and vegetables intended for export to Pakistan have either partially or completely spoiled.

Khanjan Alokozai, head of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Joint Chamber of Commerce, stated: “Five hundred of our containers were either completely or partially ruined. We brought some of them back from the borders to Jalalabad and other markets, and sold them at nearly half price.”

In addition to the total halt in trade between Kabul and Islamabad, Afghan goods transit has also been suspended, and traders have been advised to refrain from shipping goods until further notice.

Meanwhile, the Afghanistan Chamber of Agriculture and Livestock, pointing to the importance of economic relations between the two countries, emphasized the need to create new avenues to expand trade and agricultural exports.

Waseem Safi, CEO of the Chamber of Agriculture and Livestock, said: “Our demand is to keep politics and trade separate, as this concerns the private sector. We expect that trade be facilitated and priority given to our products to ensure timely exports.”

Farid Azimi, a trader, also said: “Our request is that the governments of both countries prioritize trade, reach an agreement, and allow the stranded goods on both sides to be exported promptly.”

At the same time, some Pakistani media outlets, quoting Pakistan’s Revenue Authority, have reported that annually, over $766 million worth of imports from Afghanistan and over $1.54 billion in exports from Pakistan occur through the four key trade routes: Torkham, Kharlachi, Ghulam Khan, and Chaman.

However, all these crossings have remained closed for the ninth consecutive day, bringing trade between the two countries to a complete halt.