Major border crossings between Afghanistan and Pakistan remained closed for a 13th consecutive day, disrupting trade and leaving hundreds of travelers stranded on both sides of the border, amid rising tensions between the two sides.
According to Khan Jan Alokozai, a senior official at the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, five key commercial border points have been shut down, halting the daily movement of nearly 2,000 trucks, including those carrying perishable goods.
“All border crossings are closed,” Alokozai said. “About 2,000 trucks used to cross daily. Over 500 containers of vegetables have rotted. Transit trade from Central Asia is also suspended. The financial loss is in the millions of dollars each day.”
The closure has affected trade flows, passenger movement, and transit goods from other regional countries, and has raised concerns among both local residents and business owners who rely on the border for livelihoods.
On the ground, drivers have been forced to camp for days in difficult conditions, as they await instructions on whether the border will reopen. Residents in Spin Boldak and other areas near the border said the prolonged closure has trapped hundreds of passengers, including families and patients seeking medical treatment.
“We are suffering here. People are stuck with no clear answer on when the crossings will open,” said Abdul Wali, a resident of Spin Boldak, in an interview with local media.
The shutdown comes after military tensions and clashes between the Taliban and Pakistani forces, which continued for at least 8 days earlier this month. While authorities from both sides have previously signaled that a preliminary agreement had been reached to reopen crossings, no official reopening has taken place, and the blockade remains in effect.
Economic analysts have warned that the ongoing disruption could have long-term effects on Afghanistan’s already fragile economy, which heavily depends on regional trade, particularly with Pakistan.
“This situation not only harms trade relations but also deepens the humanitarian crisis,” said Ahmad Siyar Quraishi, an Afghan economic analyst. “The extended closure affects everything from food prices to employment in the border provinces.”
Border points such as Torkham, Spin Boldak, and Ghulam Khan serve as vital trade arteries between the two nations, facilitating goods not only between Kabul and Islamabad but also for transit cargo from Central Asian countries to Pakistani ports.
Despite multiple rounds of talks between Taliban and Pakistani officials, the political standoff remains unresolved. Observers say that unless a lasting mechanism for managing border security and trade is reached, such closures are likely to become more frequent — and more costly.
