Kabul, Afghanistan – The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has announced amajor policy shift, instructing Afghan traders to halt or significantlyreduce trade with Pakistan. In a statement issued by the Ministry ofIndustry and Commerce, the Taliban-led government accused Pakistan ofconsistently using trade as a political weapon and obstructingAfghanistan’s commercial activities.
“To protect the country’s honor, trade, industry, and the rights ofAfghans, the Islamic Emirate has instructed its brother traders thatPakistan has always obstructed our trade and has used non-political mattersas political tools,” the statement read.
The directive outlines three key measures:
1.
Afghan traders should minimize trade with Pakistan and instead use alternative transit routes. 2.
Imports from Pakistan must be redirected to other markets and countries. 3.
Medicines and pharmaceutical products should now be sourced exclusively from nations other than Pakistan.
Read Top Stories
Officials in Kabul claim that new trade routes through Iran, Central Asia,and China offer sufficient alternatives for Afghan commerce, makingPakistan less vital to the country’s economic interests.
This decision comes amid growing tensions between the two neighbors overborder management, transit trade, and cross-border security concerns. Themove is expected to impact bilateral trade volumes, which have historicallybeen significant despite recurring political disputes.
Afghan economists warn that while diversification of trade partners couldbenefit Afghanistan in the long term, the sudden halt in trade withPakistan may disrupt short-term supply chains and raise prices foressential goods.
Neither Islamabad nor the Pakistani business community has officiallyresponded to the announcement yet.