News Desk:Â Traders from Chaman have reached Islamabad to press the federal government to reopen the Pak-Afghan border crossing, warning that prolonged closure has severely damaged trade and livelihoods in the border region.
All crossings with Afghanistan have remained shut since October 11, following armed clashes along the 2,600-kilometre frontier and subsequent retaliatory actions that resulted in heavy casualties on both sides. The shutdown has brought cross-border commercial activity to a complete standstill, marking the most serious disruption since the Taliban took control of Kabul in 2021.
Despite the extended closure, there are no clear signs of reopening. Afghan authorities have also declined to allow United Nations humanitarian assistance to pass through Pakistan’s land routes, even though millions in Afghanistan depend on international aid.
During their visit to the capital, the traders held meetings with several senior officials, including Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, to seek government intervention for restoring trade through the Chaman crossing, one of the most vital routes linking Pakistan and Afghanistan.
A delegation led by Chaman Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Abdul Nafi Jan Chakzai also met Senate Deputy Chairman Saidal Khan Nasir, Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Commerce Rana Ihsaan Afzal, and Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq. Community elders and local business leaders were also part of the discussions.
According to the Ministry of Commerce, traders highlighted the serious economic and social impact of repeated border closures, including financial losses, spoilage of perishable exports, rising unemployment, and growing hardship for local populations that rely heavily on cross-border trade.
The commerce minister stated that while his ministry would continue advocating for smoother trade facilitation, decisions on border operations are made at the government level in view of broader national considerations. He assured the delegation that their concerns would be raised with relevant authorities and at appropriate bilateral forums to seek sustainable and transparent border management solutions.
Business leaders in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa warned that the closure has paralysed a trade corridor worth billions of dollars annually, with exporters reporting daily losses running into millions of dollars as goods remain stranded at border points.
