Pakistan-Afghanistan border point closure hit bilateral trade

Trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been badly hit due to the closure of Chaman border point in the restive Balochistan province for the past 13 days after a group of Afghans held anti-Pakistan protests.

Dar Khan Achakzai, former chairman of the Chaman Chamber of Commerce, said the daily transit of 500 to 600 vehicles carrying perishable goods have been put on hold.

"A lot of cottage industry goods from Gujranwala and Wazirabad in Punjab and other items go daily to Afghanistan," he said.

"The closure of the border gate has badly affected business between the two countries," Achakzai said.

The border trade point was shut by Pakistani authorities after some Afghan nationals burnt the Pakistani flag and pelted stones at security personnel from across the border to express their anger over protest rallies held in Balochistan's tribal areas against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his supportive words to Balochs in his Independence Day address.

A security source said Southern Commander, Brigadier Arshad, has visited Chaman and four flag meetings have been held between the border forces of the two countries.

"The Afghan authorities have conceded that some anti-Pakistan elements had instigated the trouble at the border gate 13 days back and they were being rounded up. There is hope the gate will be reopened in two or three days time," the source said.

Achakzai said up to 10,000 skilled workers, labourers and traders cross over to Afghanistan for trade and work.

"They go early morning work there and return by sunset. Similarly 4,000 to 5,000 Afghans also cross into Pakistan on daily basis for trade and work," he said.

Achakzai said Pakistan's exports to Afghanistan has already dropped by 30 per cent from 300 crore rupees to 180 crore rupees in the past over an year.

They are only two transit routes between the two countries - the Chaman border and Torkham border - and both mostly "remain busy with business," he said.

Another businessman from Quetta said Pakistani traders have suffered the most since they invested heavily in the perishable industry in Afghanistan.

"Pakistani traders provide the investment for growth of fruits and vegetables in Afghanistan which are then imported into Pakistan and sold in the market or exported abroad," he said.

Pakistan had closed the Torkham border crossing in the north-west in June after deadly clashes with Afghan forces. It was later reopened after talks between high officials of the two countries.