A deepening crisis at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border has brought regional trade to a standstill, leaving hundreds of trucks and their drivers stranded for weeks. The prolonged closure of key transit points stems from heightened tensions between the two nations, severely impacting the flow of goods.
Drivers at the border crossings are enduring dire conditions, facing shortages of food, money, and shelter. The Express Tribune has highlighted the plight of these individuals caught in the crossfire of political disputes. The suspension of bilateral trade operations has virtually stopped the export of Pakistani kinnow fruit and other merchandise destined for Afghanistan and onward to Iran and Central Asia.
These border closures, initiated on October 11, followed intense military engagements between Pakistani and Afghan forces. This escalation is the most significant since the Taliban took control in 2021, with Pakistan citing Afghanistan’s alleged inability to prevent militants from operating within its borders.
The timing of this trade disruption is critical, coinciding with the peak season for kinnow exports. This has led to substantial financial losses for exporters, logistics providers, and farmers, as perishable products spoil. Furthermore, proposals to streamline export financing for kinnow shipments to neighboring markets have allegedly been turned down, adding to the financial strain.
With an estimated $110 million in kinnow exports last year, projections for the current year have been revised downwards to $100 million. Thousands of containers carrying various goods remain immobilized, burdening traders and clearing agents with substantial demurrage fees. Calls for authorities to waive these charges are growing louder, emphasizing the risk of collapse for many small enterprises.