ISLAMABAD; Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi announced on Friday that Pakistan’s transit trade with Afghanistan would remain suspended until the government completes a comprehensive evaluation of the prevailing security situation.
Speaking at his first weekly press briefing, Andrabi confirmed that “Afghan transit trade is not taking place and will remain closed till the evaluation of the security situation.” He stated that repeated cross-border attacks from the Afghan side had resulted in the loss of Pakistani lives, emphasizing that “the safety of citizens is far more important than any commodity trade.”
Andrabi reiterated that Afghan soil must not be used for promoting or sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan. He noted that while there had been optimism when the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, the ongoing attacks by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups from Afghan territory had completely changed the dynamics between the two countries.
Pakistan and Afghanistan’s border crossings have been closed since October 11, following intense ground fighting and Pakistani airstrikes along their 2,600-kilometre border. The clashes, which were among the deadliest since the Taliban’s takeover, killed dozens on both sides.
All trade and transit activities have been halted since the violence erupted. Business leaders in Kabul and Chaman confirmed that no goods were crossing the border and traders were facing heavy financial losses. A ceasefire brokered by Qatar and Turkey last weekend remains in place, but the border trade continues to be suspended.
Officials said the situation would be reviewed during the next round of Pakistan-Afghanistan talks scheduled for October 25 in Istanbul. “There is no chance of reopening the border before the Istanbul meeting,” a senior Chaman administration official told reporters.
Meanwhile, the Friendship Gate was opened temporarily to allow the repatriation of Afghan refugees stranded in Balochistan and Karachi. Immigration operations by the FIA have also been halted, leaving hundreds of Pakistanis stranded in Chaman and over 5,000 more in Spin Boldak who regularly cross for small-scale trade and business.
Business communities on both sides have urged a swift resolution to prevent further economic hardship, but officials insist that any decision will depend on the outcome of the upcoming talks in Istanbul.
