In a decisive move reflecting the state’s shifting priorities, Pakistan has opted to keep its Afghan border crossings closed, asserting that the safety of its citizens outweighs commercial interests. The decision follows violent border clashes earlier this month — the most intense since the Taliban’s 2021 takeover — which left dozens dead on both sides.
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Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi stated that the closures are a security necessity, not a political signal. “The life of a common Pakistani is more valuable than trade,” he said, reinforcing Islamabad’s stance amid pressure from traders as food prices surge and 5,000 containers remain stranded at Torkham and Chaman.
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Despite a ceasefire brokered in Doha by Qatar and Turkey, trade remains suspended until Kabul reins in militant groups using Afghan soil to attack Pakistan. The next round of peace talks is scheduled for October 25 in Istanbul, with cautious optimism on both sides.
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The policy underscores Pakistan’s security-first doctrine and signals a broader strategic recalibration. While the closure strains the $2.3 billion annual trade with Afghanistan, it also conveys a clear message: stability must precede commerce. In a region defined by fragility, Islamabad’s firmness may finally force its neighbor to address cross-border militancy — a prerequisite for sustainable peace and regional integration.
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