The yearly trade volume in between Pakistan and Afghanistan has dropped greatly from $2.5 billion to simply $1 billion, as ongoing border closures and inconsistent trade policies continue to strain financial ties between the 2 neighbors.Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi, Vice President of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce, described the decrease as “& ldquo; deeply worrying,” & rdquo; alerting that Pakistan’& rsquo; s more comprehensive local trade ambitions, including access to Central Asian markets, depend on a stable trading relationship with Afghanistan.For years, Pakistan has actually exported vital goods to Afghanistan, consisting of cement, steel bars, pharmaceuticals, veggies, flour, and sugar, while importing fresh fruit and vegetables and other farming products in return.However, consistent difficulties and growing diplomatic friction in between the two nations have interrupted this exchange.An essential flashpoint took place in February when heightened tensions prompted a closure of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
The shutdown stopped the movement of products and individuals, causing significant losses in tax incomes for both countries and stalling cross-border commerce.“& ldquo; The effect wasn & rsquo; t simply on trade numbers,” & rdquo; Sarhadi noted.
& ldquo; From Karachi & rsquo; s ports to the Torkham crossing, thousands of workers and transport workers were left out of work for days.
The causal sequences harm the most susceptible segments of society.”& rdquo; Trade experts and magnate are urging both Islamabad and Kabul to embrace consistent and transparent trade policies, highlighting that long-lasting financial cooperation is vital not only for mutual financial advantage however likewise for cultivating regional peace and stability.They caution that without a continual diplomatic and financial dialogue, both countries risk additional isolation and financial stagnation, especially at a time when the region deals with broader geopolitical and security challenges.
The post Pakistan-Afghanistan trade shrinks to $1 billion amidst border disruptions and policy uncertainty first appeared on TINS News|Afghanistan News.