The Taliban’s Finance Ministry has claimed that the suspension of trade with Pakistan has not harmed Afghanistan’s commerce, even as traders report thousands of containers stuck in Pakistan and rising food prices at home.
In a statement, the ministry said trade with other nations “continues without any problem” despite the border closures. It urged Afghan traders to use alternative routes and promised government support for diversification.
But the disruption appears serious on the ground. Border crossings with Pakistan have been closed for nearly seven weeks, and prices of at least three essential food‑import items have surged by as much as 400 afghanis ($6), according to market sources.
The Taliban commerce minister, Nooruddin Azizi, last week told a Kabul gathering that around 12,000 containers belonging to Afghan traders are stranded at Pakistani ports — including Karachi — inflicting heavy losses.
Earlier this month, Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the trade suspension did not affect Pakistan’s commerce.
The closures followed an eight‑day border clash between Pakistani forces and the Taliban, after which major crossings between the two neighbours were shut down.
