Taliban said in a statement on Thursday that they will not reopen major commercial border crossings with Pakistan unless Islamabad provides firm guarantees that the routes will not again be closed as a political or economic pressure tool.
Five principal crossings have remained shut for nearly two months following a surge in tensions and armed clashes along the frontier. A member of Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry told Amu that more than 11,000 trucks from Afghan traders are stranded in Pakistan, with large volumes of perishable goods at risk of spoiling.
Taliban chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in the statement that Pakistan had “illegally” blocked transit and trade routes to exert pressure, causing “serious harm” to communities on both sides of the border.
Mujahid said Afghanistan had expanded its trade options and would only reopen the crossings once Islamabad provides “strong assurances” that border closures will not be used again as leverage. The Taliban’s objective, he said, is to ensure “dignified trade,” safeguard business interests and avoid future disruptions.
The Taliban have separately instructed Afghan traders to halt the import of medicines from Pakistan, giving them three months to settle accounts with Pakistani suppliers.
Kabul residents and shopkeepers said prices of key commodities — including flour, rice and cooking oil — have risen by 150 to 400 afghanis ($2.2 to $6) since the shutdown, deepening economic pressure in a country already struggling with soaring unemployment and shrinking household incomes.
