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Torkham crossing closure harms Afghan, Pakistani traders: MoCI
Jawad Akhundzada: “We hope that Pakistan will reconsider this issue and take steps to resolve it fundamentally, ensuring that this route is not closed by them again.”
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry spokesman Abdul Salam Jawad Akhundzada says Pakistan’s closure of the Torkham crossing violates all international trade laws and causes harm to the traders and citizens of both countries.
Jawad Akhundzada stated that if Pakistan’s obstacles to economic activities continue, it may further damage the economic relations between the two countries, emphasizing that the ministry is working to resolve this issue through dialogue with Pakistan.
“Once again, we are witnessing the closure of the Torkham crossing, which has blocked our trade and transit routes. This harms both our traders and citizens, as well as those of Pakistan,” he said.
He added, “We hope that Pakistan will reconsider this issue and take steps to resolve it fundamentally, ensuring that this route is not closed by them again.”
Meanwhile, officials from the Afghanistan-Pakistan Joint Chamber of Commerce have stated that trade and transit between Kabul and Islamabad, including all economic activities, have been politicized by Pakistan, increasing trade challenges between the two countries.
The officials also noted that if Islamabad continues to create such problems, Afghan traders may end their trade and economic relations with Pakistan.
Khan Jan Alokozai, the head of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Joint Chamber of Commerce, said, “Currently, with the route closed, Pakistan is suffering significant losses. Hundreds of trucks carrying goods such as fruits, onions, potatoes, and tomatoes pass through this crossing, all of which are now halted, causing them losses.”
“I believe that if this situation continues, both transit and trade with Pakistan will end,” he said.
However, members of the private sector stated that Afghanistan has already diverted 70 percent of its transit from Pakistan to other routes. They warn that if Pakistan continues to create obstacles to economic activities, trade between the two countries will soon drop to zero.
It has been over a week since Pakistan closed the Torkham crossing to all traffic, leaving thousands of freight carriers loaded with commercial goods stranded on both sides of the border.
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IEA should respond to Pakistan’s security concerns with concrete actions: Andrabi
Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Hussain Andrabi says both Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Sadyr Japarov, the President of Kyrgyzstan, who visited Islamabad on Thursday, expressed their mutual commitment to a peaceful, stable Afghanistan with a sustainable future for the Afghan people.
Speaking in a press conference on Friday, Andrabi stated that both sides agreed that the Islamic Emirate must fulfill its obligations toward the international community and take concrete steps against terrorist groups to address Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns.
This comes while the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has repeatedly emphasized that no terrorist groups operate from Afghan territory and that it will not allow anyone to use Afghan soil against any country.
The Islamic Emirate has also stated that Pakistan’s security concerns are an internal issue of that country, and Pakistan itself must take measures to prevent any security incidents.
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Malaysia’s PM calls peaceful solution to Afghanistan-Pakistan tensions
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has voiced deep concern over escalating tensions between the Afghanistan–Pakistan during a telephone conversation with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Anwar said he emphasized Malaysia’s concerns regarding regional stability and urged all parties to pursue a peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation.
His remarks follow media reports indicating heightened tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan after a series of attacks in October.
During the call, the two leaders also exchanged views on several aspects of Malaysia–Pakistan bilateral relations.
Anwar also briefed Sharif on the ongoing flood situation in Malaysia and similar challenges facing neighboring countries, including Indonesia and Thailand.
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Afghanistan makes major strides in cutting drug trafficking, says Putin
Putin stated that Afghan authorities have “substantially reduced” opium cultivation and are “seriously confronting” drug-related threats from within their borders.
Russian President Vladimir Putin says Afghanistan has taken “active and effective” steps to curb drug trafficking, noting a significant drop in opium production across the country. He made the remarks during an exclusive interview with India Today during his India trip, highlighting what he described as “visible progress” in Afghanistan’s internal security efforts.
Putin stated that Afghan authorities have “substantially reduced” opium cultivation and are “seriously confronting” drug-related threats from within their borders. He added that Afghanistan has also made important advancements in the fight against terrorism.
Responding to a question about why Russia officially recognized the Islamic Emirate, the Russian president said Afghanistan had been engulfed in civil conflict for many years, but the current authorities now hold control over the country. “This is the reality, and it must be acknowledged,” Putin emphasized.
He further noted that maintaining contact with Afghanistan’s leadership is crucial for shaping events inside the country. “If you want influence, you must engage with the people in charge — and that is exactly what we are doing,” he said.
Putin’s remarks come as several regional powers continue to recalibrate their diplomatic strategies toward Afghanistan, focusing on stability, counterterrorism, and economic cooperation.
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