Business
Trade body urges urgent government action to restore exports to Afghanistan
In a letter to the Ministry of Commerce and the Federal Board of Revenue’s Directorate General of Transit Trade, Makda reported that thousands of containers carrying bilateral, transit and Central Asian Republic (CARs) cargo remain stuck across Pakistan.
The Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI) has urged the government to immediately intervene as prolonged land port closures have halted exports to Afghanistan and triggered a deepening trade crisis.
PAJCCI President Junaid Makda warned that the shutdown of major crossings has disrupted supply chains, caused widespread unemployment among transporters and labourers, and left hundreds of commercial vehicles stranded at Torkham, Chaman, Ghulam Khan and other points. The paralysis, he said, is inflicting heavy financial damage on both sides of the crossings.
In a letter to the Ministry of Commerce and the Federal Board of Revenue’s Directorate General of Transit Trade, Makda reported that thousands of containers carrying bilateral, transit and Central Asian Republic (CARs) cargo remain stuck across Pakistan, including shipments destined for Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and other regional markets.
He noted that traders, transporters and clearing agents are facing daily port demurrage and shipping line detention charges of $150–200 per container, pushing many to the brink of financial collapse.
Makda stressed that Pakistan–Afghanistan bilateral and transit trade has the potential to exceed $5 billion annually. However, repeated disruptions and the current port closures have pushed trade volumes below $1 billion, raising concerns over revenue losses and long-term economic stability.
“While PAJCCI fully supports Pakistan’s national security imperatives, it is distressing to see the severe economic hardship faced by those whose livelihoods depend on this trade,” he said.
He added that PAJCCI’s chapters in Pakistan and Kabul are coordinating closely and prepared to assist in resolving the crisis.
PAJCCI has urged authorities to prioritize the movement of Afghan commercial cargo, reopen all trade gates with Afghanistan, introduce a relief mechanism for affected businesses, and grant a full waiver of demurrage and detention charges under the exceptional circumstances.