KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghanistan’s exports to Pakistan have declined by 31 percent compared to last year, according to figures released by the Taliban-run Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
The ministry reported that of the total trade volume of $1.081 billion between the two countries in the first six months of 2024, only $329 million came from Afghan exports, while $752 million represented imports from Pakistan. The sharp drop in exports has raised concerns about Afghanistan’s economic vulnerability.
Abdul Salam Jawad, a spokesperson for the Taliban’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce, said the country’s main exports during this period included cotton, coal, raisins, onions, and carpets. In contrast, key imports from Pakistan consisted of rice, cement, sugar, fresh fruits, raw materials for factories, new clothing, eggs, and other essential items.
Economists have pointed to political tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan as a primary factor in the decline of exports. Abdul Nasir Rashtia, an economist, criticized Pakistan for using trade as a political tool against Afghanistan.
“Unfortunately, Pakistan views trade and the economy through a political lens,” Rashtia said. “Whenever political issues arise or our relations with Pakistan become strained, they use Afghanistan’s ports, transit routes, trade, and even the status of Afghan refugees as leverage.”
Rashtia added that improvements in Afghanistan’s relations with India often lead to new obstacles for Afghan traders and farmers at the hands of Pakistani authorities.
In the first half of 2023, the trade volume between Afghanistan and Pakistan was $1.152 billion, with Afghanistan contributing $476 million in exports. The recent figures reflect a significant downturn, highlighting the challenges facing Afghanistan’s economy under Taliban rule.
