The Torkham crossing remains blocked for several consecutive days, raising concerns about shortages of basic items and rising prices in Afghanistan. Jan Agha Navid, spokesman for the Chamber of Commerce and Investment, told Ava that the halt in the transfer of goods has caused some of the merchants' property to deteriorate and has caused heavy financial losses. At the same time, the increase in the prices of some goods and the shortage of raw materials in the Afghan market have been reported as among the initial consequences of the closure of this crossing. Meanwhile, economic experts emphasize the need to find alternative solutions for trade and reduce dependence on Pakistan.
Publish dateMonday 10 March 2025 - 14:53
Story Code : 309836
Economic and trade analysts in conversation with AVA:
Torkham crossing remains blocked for 17th consecutive day/ Businessmen's meeting on both sides leads to two-day ceasefire
Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - Kabul: While 17 days have passed since the Torkham crossing was closed and thousands of trucks carrying commercial goods are still stuck on both sides of the line, the spokesman for the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment said in an interview with AVA that traders and ethnic merchants of the two countries held a meeting on Sunday, March 10, to find a permanent solution to this problem and made a joint request to the governments of both sides for an immediate ceasefire and the reopening of the Torkham commercial border.
Jan Aqa Navid says that the Torkham crossing is still closed to the transfer of commercial goods from both sides.
Navid, stating that most of the goods of the corrupt have been removed from the area, adds that some of the remaining goods have unfortunately been spoiled and have caused losses to the traders in this area.
He also added that the exact extent of the damage is not yet known, and until the delegation arrives in the area and closely examines the damage during this period, the reports given will be estimates.
Although Mr. Navid described yesterday's meeting between the Afghanistan-Pakistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and businessmen of the two countries as useful, he said that the exact outcome of the meeting is still unknown, and what decision the governments will take regarding these proposals.
The increase in the prices of some goods inside Afghanistan is one of the main consequences of the closure of the Torkham crossing
This is while economic experts also consider the continued closure of the important Torkham crossing to be detrimental to both countries, saying: Many of Afghanistan's export goods, especially fresh and dried fruits, cross this border. This reduces the income of traders and farmers.
Mohammad Sediq Joyandeh, an economic affairs expert, said in an interview with AVA that the halt in imports from Pakistan has caused a shortage of some basic goods in the Afghan market and increased prices.
He cited disruption in the supply chain as another side effect of the closure of the Torkham border, saying: Many products and raw materials needed for domestic production are imported from Pakistan, and this disruption could affect factories and production workshops.
Joyandeh cited reduced customs revenues and greater dependence on other countries as other consequences of the closure of the Torkham crossing, saying: With reduced trade with Pakistan, Afghanistan may be forced to find new routes for imports and exports that will incur additional costs.
What is the solution if disruptions at the Torkham border continue?
Mr. Joyandeh also pointed to an alternative route for Afghan trade, saying: Afghanistan should strengthen its trade relations with other countries such as Iran, Uzbekistan, China and India.
In his opinion, increasing the use of other routes, alternative crossings such as Chabahar Port (Iran) and Hairatan Railway (Uzbekistan) can be alternatives for trade.
This economic analyst considers investment in domestic production and increased diplomatic interactions to meet Afghanistan's needs and get rid of dependence on Pakistan effective, and emphasizes: Diplomatic talks and the use of international pressure can influence Pakistan to change its strict trade policies.
He also stated that Afghanistan should seek long-term trade agreements with neighboring countries to prevent such crises from occurring in the future.
It is worth noting that a ceasefire and an end to the border war, as well as the opening of the Torkham crossing, are among the important proposals that the organizers of this jirga gave to their governments yesterday.
It was said that no government officials from either Pakistan or Afghanistan were present at this jirga.
The Torkham gate was closed to all traffic by the Pakistani government on February 21st under the pretext of the Islamic Emirate building facilities along the border line, while the Islamic Emirate Commissioner in Torkham had previously said that they have the right to build facilities on their territory. Pakistan insists that the construction of security posts must stop on the border, otherwise it will not open the crossing, while it is said that as a result of yesterday's meeting, a two-day ceasefire has been established between the two sides from today, Sunday, March 10.
Jan Aqa Navid says that the Torkham crossing is still closed to the transfer of commercial goods from both sides.
Navid, stating that most of the goods of the corrupt have been removed from the area, adds that some of the remaining goods have unfortunately been spoiled and have caused losses to the traders in this area.
He also added that the exact extent of the damage is not yet known, and until the delegation arrives in the area and closely examines the damage during this period, the reports given will be estimates.
Although Mr. Navid described yesterday's meeting between the Afghanistan-Pakistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and businessmen of the two countries as useful, he said that the exact outcome of the meeting is still unknown, and what decision the governments will take regarding these proposals.
The increase in the prices of some goods inside Afghanistan is one of the main consequences of the closure of the Torkham crossing
This is while economic experts also consider the continued closure of the important Torkham crossing to be detrimental to both countries, saying: Many of Afghanistan's export goods, especially fresh and dried fruits, cross this border. This reduces the income of traders and farmers.
Mohammad Sediq Joyandeh, an economic affairs expert, said in an interview with AVA that the halt in imports from Pakistan has caused a shortage of some basic goods in the Afghan market and increased prices.
He cited disruption in the supply chain as another side effect of the closure of the Torkham border, saying: Many products and raw materials needed for domestic production are imported from Pakistan, and this disruption could affect factories and production workshops.
Joyandeh cited reduced customs revenues and greater dependence on other countries as other consequences of the closure of the Torkham crossing, saying: With reduced trade with Pakistan, Afghanistan may be forced to find new routes for imports and exports that will incur additional costs.
What is the solution if disruptions at the Torkham border continue?
Mr. Joyandeh also pointed to an alternative route for Afghan trade, saying: Afghanistan should strengthen its trade relations with other countries such as Iran, Uzbekistan, China and India.
In his opinion, increasing the use of other routes, alternative crossings such as Chabahar Port (Iran) and Hairatan Railway (Uzbekistan) can be alternatives for trade.
This economic analyst considers investment in domestic production and increased diplomatic interactions to meet Afghanistan's needs and get rid of dependence on Pakistan effective, and emphasizes: Diplomatic talks and the use of international pressure can influence Pakistan to change its strict trade policies.
He also stated that Afghanistan should seek long-term trade agreements with neighboring countries to prevent such crises from occurring in the future.
It is worth noting that a ceasefire and an end to the border war, as well as the opening of the Torkham crossing, are among the important proposals that the organizers of this jirga gave to their governments yesterday.
It was said that no government officials from either Pakistan or Afghanistan were present at this jirga.
The Torkham gate was closed to all traffic by the Pakistani government on February 21st under the pretext of the Islamic Emirate building facilities along the border line, while the Islamic Emirate Commissioner in Torkham had previously said that they have the right to build facilities on their territory. Pakistan insists that the construction of security posts must stop on the border, otherwise it will not open the crossing, while it is said that as a result of yesterday's meeting, a two-day ceasefire has been established between the two sides from today, Sunday, March 10.
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