Trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been severely impacted due to road closures prompted by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) march on Islamabad. The closure of major highways and motorways, initiated by the federal and Punjab governments on November 23, has caused significant disruption at the Torkham border crossing, a key point for bilateral trade.
According to sources at Torkham, no vehicles carrying export items from Punjab have been able to reach Peshawar or the Torkham border since the roadblockades began. These roads, which are crucial for the transportation of goods, were blocked using shipping containers, hindering the movement of vehicles. The blockade has left trucks loaded with Afghan imports like coal, soapstone, and fresh fruits stranded at various locations in Peshawar.
The disruption has worsened due to the confiscation of many containers by police to enforce the road closures, further delaying the transportation of goods to and from Punjab. Mujeebullah Shinwari, president of the Torkham Customs Clearing Agents’ Association, highlighted the serious impact on trade. He stated that the majority of imported Afghan coal and soapstone were bound for cement factories across Punjab, while Afghan fruits like grapes and apples were headed for markets in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. However, the current roadblocks have delayed these deliveries, causing significant financial losses for traders and transporters.
Before the road closures, an average of 300 vehicles carrying goods to Afghanistan and around 250 vehicles bringing imports from Afghanistan passed through Torkham daily. However, the number has now dropped to just 150 vehicles, with the movement of heavy vehicles beyond Attock completely halted.
Local clearing agent Jamshed Khan pointed out that the introduction of a 2% export cess by the provincial government had already diverted over 90% of Afghan transit trade from Torkham to the Chaman border in Balochistan, exacerbating the situation. This has led to further losses for traders and transporters in the region. Additionally, the Afghan government retaliated by increasing taxes on Pakistani fruits and vegetables, further limiting exports.
Customs officials at the Torkham border confirmed the trade slowdown, attributing it to the ongoing road closures in Punjab and Islamabad, underscoring the ongoing challenges facing cross-border trade.
