Pakistan-Afghanistan Ceasefire: Torkham Border Reopening Likely as Trade Losses Mount
Over 5,000 Pakistanis stranded, 200 Afghan fruit trucks stuck, and millions in trade losses reported amid ongoing Pakistan-Afghanistan border closure.
- Pakistan-Afghanistan Ceasefire: Torkham Border Reopening Likely as Trade Losses MountThe positive effects of the ceasefire following tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have begun to emerge. There is a strong possibility that the Torkham border, closed for ten days, will reopen soon. According to sources, Islamabad and Kabul have reached a principled agreement on reopening the border crossing, after which customs staff have been instructed to immediately return to the Torkham terminal.
Sources also report that scanners for clearing cargo vehicles have been delivered to the Torkham terminal to avoid further delays in resuming trade activities.
It should be noted that in Balochistan, the Chaman border, and in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Ghulam Khan and Angoor Adda borders, remained closed for nine days due to Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions, completely halting trade and pedestrian movement.
Hundreds of transit trade vehicles were stranded on both sides of the border due to the closure. The perishable goods fruits and vegetable inside many vehicles spoiled, causing heavy financial losses to traders.
According to security sources, thousands of import, export, and transit trade vehicles have been halted due to the closure, forming long queues stretching far back. Customs officials state that trade worth approximately 850 million rupees takes place daily through the Torkham crossing—580 million rupees in exports and 250 million rupees in imports.
Pakistan exports cement, medicines, textiles, fruits, and vegetables to Afghanistan, while Afghanistan exports coal, soapstone, and both dried and fresh fruits to Pakistan.
The suspension of trade activities has not only affected traders but also thousands of workers associated with the transport sector.
However, government sources have stated that both countries have agreed to ensure that border trade continues in an organized manner and in line with international norms.
Federal Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said that Afghanistan will once again be able to use Pakistani ports.
According to the defense minister, Afghan citizens holding valid visas and identification documents will be allowed to stay in Pakistan, while the repatriation process of illegal migrants will continue.
Khawaja Asif further stated that the use of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border must now adhere to complete transparency and international standards to prevent any future misunderstandings or tensions.
Afghanistan’s fresh fruit exporters are enduring severe losses as a major land route to Pakistan remains closed, leaving around 200 trucks loaded with tomatoes, onions, grapes, and apples stranded at the Torkham crossing, effectively suspending trade with South Asian markets.
The Dried Fruit Exporters Union reports that the shipment of fresh produce has almost completely stopped, though a small volume of dried fruits continues to be exported. “It’s apple season now, and the only nearby and accessible route to sell our produce has been shut down,” a spokesperson stated.
Traders estimate that Afghanistan’s fresh fruit exports have dropped by 60 to 70 percent since shipments were first disrupted nearly six months ago. With ground routes blocked, exporters say air freight is now the only means of delivery. However, the high cost of air transport and weak demand caused by inflated shipping prices have made this option financially unviable for most exporters.
5000 Pakistanis stranded in Afghanistan await return
5,000 Pakistanis stranded in Afghanistan await return Bab Dosti remained closed for trade activities for the 11th day.
Vehicles returning after transferring Afghan nationals at Bab Dosti in Chaman were allowed to pass.
According to customs officials in Chaman, a large number of visa passport travelers are stranded on both sides of Bab Dosti. More than 5,000 Pakistanis stranded in Afghanistan due to the border closure are waiting to return.
The Pak-Afghan border Bab Dosti remained closed for all types of trade activities for the 11th day. Long queues of cargo vehicles are lined up at the Torkham trade crossing due to the closure of bilateral trade.
According to officials, thousands of cargo vehicles of transit trade are parked, in which goods worth millions of rupees including cement, medicines, cloth, fresh fruits and vegetables are stuck.
Similarly, Angoor Adda in South Waziristan, Ghulam Khan in North Waziristan, and Kharlachi border in Kurram district are also closed.
The border closure has increased the prices of food items, while hundreds of daily laborers who commute to Afghanistan to work are also severely affected.
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