The ongoing closure of the Pak-Afghan transit trade has caused a severe disruption in cross-border commerce, with over 1,000 Afghan containers stranded at ports and border crossings for the fifth consecutive day. The suspension, triggered by rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, has led to daily financial losses exceeding Rs1 billion.
According to Junaid Makda, president of the Pak-Afghan Chamber of Commerce, around 1,391 Afghan transit containers are currently held up at various entry and exit points. These include 291 containers at Karachi Port and Port Qasim, 500 at the Chaman border, 400 at Torkham, and 100 each at Ghulam Khan and Khalarchi.
Makda stated that the ongoing Pak-Afghan transit trade suspension has caused congestion at seaports and dry ports, as goods unloaded from ships are now piling up in warehouses and terminals. “All warehouses at Torkham are full, leaving no space for new cargo,” he said.
The business community estimates that traders from both countries have lost billions of rupees in just a few days. Food and beverage items stuck in transit have been sold at half price to avoid spoilage. Makda warned that losses have reached “alarming levels,” urging immediate government action to resume trade activities.
The stranded goods include electronics, machinery, confectionery, and other consumer items imported under the Afghan Transit Trade Agreement (ATTA). Customs officials also confirmed that port operations are nearing capacity limits, affecting shipping schedules and delaying new imports.
Trade experts cautioned that the prolonged Pak-Afghan transit trade closure could severely damage regional supply chains and undermine business confidence. They called for swift diplomatic efforts to reopen borders and restore normal operations.
For the fifth straight day, the Khyber–Torkham and Chaman crossings remain closed, leaving thousands of cargo trucks stranded on both sides. Business leaders like Jamal Shah Achakzai have urged both governments to take urgent measures to prevent further economic damage.
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