The Torkham border between Pakistan and Afghanistan remained closed for the seventh consecutive day, resulting in an estimated $10 million loss in trade and severe economic repercussions for both nations.
Muhammad Yousuf Afridi, President of the Khyber Chamber of Commerce and Industries, emphasized the urgency of resolving the issue, stating that the prolonged closure is harming bilateral trade and livelihoods.
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Afridi criticized the closure over minor disputes, urging authorities to separate trade from politics. “No borders are closed due to political issues elsewhere in the world,” he said, calling for a joint Pak-Afghan council to address recurring tensions. He also lamented Pakistan’s declining trade volume with Afghanistan, noting that Iranian and Central Asian products have increasingly dominated the Afghan market due to poor policy decisions.
The closure has disrupted cross-border movement, leaving hundreds of Afghans stranded in Pakistan and Pakistanis facing hardships in Afghanistan. Many report running out of money and facing starvation. Afridi urged both governments to remove trade barriers and formulate a long-term trade policy to ensure stability.
