As tensions continue to shape the political landscape between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the repercussions are felt deeply by ordinary citizens, particularly those whose livelihoods depend on cross-border trade. The current situation highlights the struggles faced by truck drivers and businesses as restrictions have left many in limbo. Below, we explore the implications of these border closures and the hardships being experienced.
Truck drivers eat on the ground by their stalled vehicles near Torkham, Pakistan, on Oct. 13, 2025. More than three months later, the Torkham border remains closed with no end in sight.
ABDUL MAJEED/AFP via Getty Images
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ABDUL MAJEED/AFP via Getty Images
PESHAWAR, Pakistan — For over three months, Afghan truck driver Anwar Zadran has been unable to complete his journey from a cement factory in Nowshera district to Kabul, having been trapped by border closures. This situation began in mid-October when Pakistan and Afghanistan halted border crossings due to escalating conflict, leaving Zadran and many others stranded near the Torkham border crossing.
He now spends his days with other stranded drivers at roadside tea stalls, longing for the easing of restrictions. Each day, Zadran puts on the same light clothing he wore when he arrived, retreating to his truck for warmth once the cold night settles in. “The people are destroyed and the goods are damaged as well,” he shares. “I wish the border would open soon so that we can get some relief.”
Zadran, who hails from Afghanistan’s Nangahar province, along with his fellow drivers, is no stranger to periodic border closures in this rugged area stretching over 1,600 miles. Under normal circumstances, hundreds of trucks pass through daily. However, this recent closure has extended beyond a hundred days—the longest in recent decades, with no clear resolution in sight. The stoppage has halted trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan, disrupting a key transit corridor across Central Asia.
The closure of five major trade routes reflects a broader dispute between Afghanistan and Pakistan concerning a surge in militancy, particularly in border regions, compounded by recent violent incidents, including a suicide attack in Islamabad that resulted in numerous casualties. Pakistan has raised concerns over Afghanistan’s alleged support of militant groups conducting operations on Pakistani territory, a claim that the Taliban government denies. This group includes the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has intensified its activities since the Taliban’s rise to power in Afghanistan in 2021.
The situation escalated when Afghan and Pakistani forces engaged in cross-border fire in October. Subsequent ceasefire agreements and peace talks held in Istanbul, Doha, and Riyadh failed to produce results. After the ceasefire, the Taliban government accused Pakistan of conducting airstrikes on Afghan territory that killed civilians, a claim Pakistan has refuted.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated last month that closing the border was necessary because the Taliban could not commit to curbing militant activities originating from Afghanistan. “We didn’t want to, but they forced us,” he remarked. In response, the Taliban government accused Pakistan of using border closures to apply political and economic pressure, demanding guarantees against such actions.
Looking for workarounds
In Peshawar, situated about 40 miles from the Torkham border, business leaders are seeking alternative solutions. Trader Shahid Hussain has sketched out potential reroutes for his exports through China, as his regular shipments of food products to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan typically traverse Afghanistan. However, Hussain notes that the protocols for transit trade with China remain ambiguous. An additional option involves Iran, but international sanctions, coupled with unstable banking relations, complicate this prospect.
Hussain, who also exports cement to Afghanistan, estimates losses of nearly $400,000 from perishing and damaged stock since the border closure began. With business suffering, he has halted employee salaries and likens his 20-year enterprise to a parched tree, saying, “There’s no work. And what other activity should we do?”
In January, business leaders from both nations convened a joint committee to evaluate the dire circumstances. The group has conducted two online meetings and hopes to gather at the Torkham border in the coming months with government approval. Both sides recognize the gravity of the situation as they attempt to persuade their respective leaders to take action.
However, Jawad Hussain Kazmi, president of the Khyber Chamber of Commerce and Industry, voiced concerns about the limited influence the business sector wields, mentioning, “Our government has a one-point agenda, and that’s that security problems should be resolved.”
Naqibullah Safi, secretary general of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry, indicated that the border closures have stalled the entry of goods from other Asian nations like China, Malaysia, and Vietnam, adding that various shipping containers filled with essential supplies remain trapped at the port in Karachi. “This is the worst situation for the private sector,” he stated.
Minor price hikes for essential goods such as rice, medicine, and cooking oil have already been noted in Afghanistan due to the ongoing situation.
Losses in the hundreds of millions
According to Abdul Salam Jawad, spokesperson for Afghanistan’s commerce ministry, the country’s exports to Pakistan, which include fruits, vegetables, and coal, fell by approximately $300 million last year compared to the previous year as a direct result of border closures. Last month, Pakistan announced plans to allow the re-export of goods bound for Afghanistan back to their countries of origin.
In light of the extended closures, Afghanistan is actively seeking to diversify its trade with other regional players, including India and Iran. The Taliban government has reached out to India for assistance in facilitating the transport of Afghan goods through the Chabahar port in Iran, a project in which India has shown interest.
The Taliban has additionally imposed a complete ban on Pakistani pharmaceuticals, effective this month, citing concerns over quality—a blockade that may persist even if the borders reopen.
A significant majority of Afghanistan’s pharmaceuticals are sourced from Pakistan, valued at roughly $200 million annually. According to Tauqeer Ul Haq, former chairperson of the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, it is particularly challenging to redirect stock meant for Afghanistan, especially temperature-sensitive medications stuck in transit. “We fear that it will be wasted,” he expressed. “It will not be usable.”
Pharmacy owners in Peshawar are already feeling the financial strain as Afghan customers, who comprise a substantial portion of their sales, no longer make regular purchases due to the closure. Aslam Pervez, a shop owner and general secretary for the Pakistan Chemists’ and Druggists’ Association, voiced his concerns regarding patients reliant on lifesaving medications like insulin.
“From both sides, it’s the people who are going to be the losers,” Pervez noted. “We can’t change our neighbor.”
Wasim Sajjad contributed to this report from Peshawar and the Torkham border.
Key Takeaways
- Over 100 days of border closures between Pakistan and Afghanistan have severely impacted trade.
- Stranded truck drivers face difficult living conditions while waiting for borders to reopen.
- Businesses are exploring alternative transit routes, facing numerous complications.
- Joint committees are forming to address trade issues, but progress is slow and limited.
- Price increases on essential goods are occurring in Afghanistan due to supply shortages.
- The situation has heightened tensions between the two countries, affecting everyday lives.
FAQ
What caused the border closure between Pakistan and Afghanistan?
The closure resulted from escalating tensions related to militant activities and cross-border violence, beginning in October 2025.
How have businesses responded to the border closures?
Many businesses are seeking alternative trade routes through China and Iran, although these options are complicated and uncertain.
What goods are most affected by the border closures?
Essential goods including food, medicines, and medical supplies are particularly impacted, with shortages and price rises reported in Afghanistan.
What has been the response of the Taliban government?
The Taliban has asserted that Pakistan’s border closures are a form of economic pressure and has sought countermeasures, including bans on certain imports.
Are there efforts to resolve the situation?
Yes, joint committees of business leaders from both countries are working to bridge gaps and communicate with their governments about the urgent need for resolution.
