ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s exports have suffered a significant setback as only two small customs border stations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continue to handle trade with Afghanistan, following the closure of the Torkham crossing, a major point of entry between the two countries.

Due to complex challenges at hand, Pakistan’s trade with Afghanistan is limited to two small border points — Ghulam Khan Customs Station and Kharlachi Customs Station — after the Torkham border has now reached a complete halt.

A senior customs official told Dawn that exports and imports, as well as the flow of transit items, have come to a halt at the Torkham border, which was crossed by over 700 vehicles transporting commodities daily.

The daily passage of trucks at Ghulam Khan and Kharlachi customs stations is relatively small, according to the customs official, who added that 100 vehicles crossed these two border points on Wednesday.

The majority of the trucks are on Ghulam Khan, which also handles transit cargo in addition to exporting and importing containers from Afghanistan.

Pakistan’s main exports to Afghanistan include cement, vegetables, kinno and other perishable items. Imports include vegetables, particularly onions and fruits, such as apples.

Pakistan has attempted to regulate trade by imposing visa requirements on Afghan transporters, which is unacceptable to the Taliban-led government and Afghan merchants. Pakistan believes that Afghan nationals should apply for a proper visa and then visit Pakistan using internationally approved documentation.

Trade with Iran

Pakistan has three crossing points with Iran — Ramadan-Gabd in Gwadar district, Pishin-Mand in Kech district and Taftan. A customs official from Balochistan told Dawn that no border points with Iran have been closed as a result of Tehran’s unjustified violation of Pakistani airspace.

Last year, Pakistan permitted barter trade with Iran due to a lack of legitimate payment channels and international sanctions besides smuggling on 900km of porous border between the two countries.

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2024