Officials from Afghanistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Investment under the Islamic Emirate have reported a significant loss of $10 million for the private sectors of both Afghanistan and Pakistan since the closure of the Torkham border crossing.
Khan Jan Alkozai, a member of the Chamber’s board, stated that if the border remains closed, trade with Pakistan will drop to zero.
“Every day, traders from both sides are suffering losses. The Islamic Emirate’s delegation has also gone to Uzbekistan to establish joint markets, and soon we will be free from dependency on Pakistan,” he stressed.
Zalmay Azimi, deputy head of the Nangarhar Chamber of Commerce, said that more than 600 trucks carrying goods from Afghanistan and Pakistan have been stranded on both sides of the Torkham border.
“Most of the goods coming from Pakistan are raw materials, vegetables, and fruits, many of which have spoiled. Nearly 550 trucks are stuck on the Afghan side, causing the private sector a daily loss of $150,000.”
Some Afghan traders expressed frustration over the repeated closures of the Torkham border, which they say have discouraged them from relying on trade through Pakistan.
“All our goods have spoiled; I have suffered a loss of one million afghanis. Two of our trucks are stuck on the other side of the border. Pakistan creates this situation for traders every year,” said Afghan businessman, Rasul Hojat.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI) announced that talks between the Islamic Emirate and Pakistan are ongoing to reopen the Torkham crossing, with hopes that it may reopen by the end of Sunday.
Pakistani border guards had closed the crossing nine days ago in response to infrastructure development by the Islamic Emirate.
