Arshad Mahmood Awan
The prolonged closure of Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan has plunged bilateral trade into crisis, deepening economic and humanitarian strains on both sides. Since fighting erupted earlier this month, major crossings at Torkham, Chaman, Ghulam Khan, Kharlachi, and Angoor Adda have remained sealed, halting all trade and transit movement. The result: a surge in prices, mounting trade losses, and growing public frustration.
Pakistan’s markets are already feeling the shock. Prices of essential goods, especially fruits and vegetables imported from Afghanistan, have skyrocketed. Tomatoes now cost around Rs600 per kilogram — nearly five times the normal rate — while apples and other fruits have all but disappeared from market shelves. Traders warn that if the impasse persists, shortages of other critical goods such as sugar, wheat, dairy, and medicine could soon worsen.
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According to Quetta-based exporters, the stand-off is costing both countries nearly $1 million per day. The annual trade volume of $2.3 billion lies frozen as hundreds of trucks carrying perishable food, minerals, and manufactured goods remain stranded at key checkpoints. The congestion at Torkham alone stretches for miles, with drivers waiting for days in uncertain conditions. Thousands of Pakistanis trapped in Afghanistan also await a safe return, hoping for progress in the upcoming Istanbul meeting between Islamabad and Kabul.
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The timing of this disruption could not be worse for Pakistan’s struggling economy. Still recovering from devastating summer floods that wiped out crops and infrastructure across Punjab and Sindh, the country now faces a new wave of inflation and food insecurity. For low-income households, where food already consumes most of their earnings, the price surge in vegetables and fruits has made survival even harder.
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Beyond trade losses, the crisis underscores the fragile political and security relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The border closures reveal how quickly economic interdependence can collapse under political tension. Since the Taliban’s 2021 takeover of Kabul, both sides have struggled to maintain stable communication and border discipline. The latest clashes have shown that without a framework for conflict resolution and trade continuity, economic cooperation will always remain hostage to political mistrust.
The disruption also exposes Pakistan’s overreliance on Afghan imports for key commodities. Tomatoes, onions, and fruits that once arrived daily through Torkham and Chaman now sit rotting in idle trucks. Meanwhile, domestic producers cannot fill the gap due to poor logistics, high fuel costs, and the aftermath of climate disasters. Economists warn that such external shocks reveal the need for Pakistan to diversify its import base and strengthen domestic supply chains to avoid future food crises.
At the diplomatic level, the Istanbul meeting between Pakistani and Afghan officials offers a narrow window for de-escalation. Both sides understand that the cost of continued hostility far outweighs any perceived strategic gain. For Afghanistan, border trade is a crucial source of revenue and livelihood for thousands of truckers and small traders. For Pakistan, cross-border trade provides affordable goods, employment, and regional stability. Reopening the routes is not just a matter of economics — it is an act of regional survival.
The human impact of the closure cannot be overstated. Farmers, drivers, and vendors on both sides are bearing the brunt of decisions made far above their heads. Perishable goods worth millions have been lost to spoilage, while stranded labourers face hunger and insecurity. Women and children who depend on informal cross-border trade for income are among the hardest hit.
In the long term, the Pakistan-Afghanistan border crisis should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers. Trade corridors are not merely transactional; they are instruments of peace and regional integration. Both governments must commit to institutionalising conflict-management mechanisms that keep economic activity insulated from political volatility.
Moreover, Pakistan must invest in cold-chain infrastructure, regional logistics, and agricultural planning to ensure that food prices remain stable even in times of disruption. Strengthening border management, upgrading customs technology, and fostering dialogue through economic forums can help build trust between Islamabad and Kabul.
Ultimately, peace at the border is not only a matter of diplomacy — it is a necessity for millions who rely on trade for their daily survival. Each day of closure deepens inflation, weakens food security, and erodes public trust in governance. The Istanbul meeting must therefore move beyond blame and produce tangible steps toward reopening crossings, protecting traders, and restoring the flow of goods.
Pakistan’s economy cannot afford another prolonged disruption. The lesson is clear: political disputes must not choke the arteries of regional commerce. In an interconnected region, prosperity depends on cooperation, not confrontation. Restoring trade with Afghanistan is not a concession — it is an economic and moral imperative.
