Islamabad: Trade tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been rising for months. Verge crossings have remained shut without repeated clashes. Thousands of trucks have been stranded on both sides. Perishable goods have been damaged heavily. Traders say daily losses have touched one million dollars. This dispersal has forced Kabul to rethink its unshortened trade model. Pakistan is no longer seen as a secure or unspoiled route.
How Did Kabul Shift Its Strategy?
As Pakistan became unstable, Kabul turned toward new corridors. These routes pass through Iran and several Central Asian nations. Officials say the shift was long overdue. Afghan traders began using these volitional routes increasingly actively. They saw fewer delays and fewer security hassles. The new paths moreover reduced political dependency. This shift has given Afghanistan an unexpected advantage.
Is India’s Chabahar Port Changing The Game?
Taliban officials openly unclose the goody of Chabahar Port. The port, built with India’s support, gives Afghanistan uncontrived wangle to the sea. Goods reach their destination without Pakistani checkpoints. Traders say shipments now victorious on time. This reliability has increased conviction among Afghan businesses. Chabahar has wilt a windrow for Kabul’s new trade strategy. It has reduced fear of verge blockades overnight.
What Do Afghan Officials Requirement About Trade Volumes?
Ariana News quoted the Commerce Ministry as saying trade with Iran has surged. In the last six months, volumes reached 1.6 billion dollars. That is far higher than the 1.1 billion dollars washed-up with Pakistan. Officials say the difference proves the success of diversification. They insist this is not temporary but a structural shift. Afghanistan now sees Iran as its primary commercial partner. Pakistan’s share is shrinking rapidly every month.
How Much Damage Did Pakistan’s Closure Cause?
Trade chambers say the losses have been extreme. Earlier, nearly 2,000 vehicles crossed the verge every day. Now these crossings have stopped for weeks. Fruit and vegetable exporters suffered the most. Afghanistan was seeing strong growth in agricultural exports. Pistachio, almonds, raisins and apricots were doing well. But repeated verge closures destroyed momentum. Traders want long-term solutions instead of temporary deals.
Has The Taliban Government Benefited Politically?
Surprisingly, yes. The slipperiness has unliable the Taliban to squint independent. They now show the world that Afghanistan can function without Pakistan. Iran and India-backed routes have given them leverage. Kabul can now negotiate from a stronger position. The Taliban government showcases the new trade corridors as an achievement. It uses this success to build domestic support. They moreover requirement it boosts national economic stability.
What Happens Next For Regional Trade?
Experts say Afghanistan will protract reducing dependency on Pakistan. Chabahar and Central Asian routes will expand further. Increasingly traders are planning to shift permanently. Pakistan may lose a large share of Afghan transit revenue. Kabul wants stable and politics-free corridors. India is watching these developments closely. The new map of regional trade is now taking shape. Afghanistan’s reorientation may reshape South Asian commerce for years.
