Pakistan to Keep Border Crossings with Afghanistan Closed Amid Security Concerns

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has announced that the country’s border crossings with Afghanistan will remain closed. Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad on Friday, Tahir Hussain Andrabi, spokesperson for the ministry, cited security concerns as the primary reason for the decision.

“The safety of Pakistani citizens takes precedence over trade and the movement of goods,” said Andrabi, emphasizing that the current situation demands stricter control measures along the borders.

The Afghanistan-Pakistan border crossings have been closed since October 11 following deadly clashes between the two countries’ forces, which claimed the lives of dozens of soldiers on both sides. The escalation has sparked serious regional concern and disrupted commercial exchanges and the movement of people.

The foreign ministry spokesperson acknowledged that the continued closure of the border has had economic consequences for both nations, including a sharp rise in food prices. He noted that, in Pakistan, the cost of certain items such as tomatoes has increased by as much as five times.

Andrabi added that negotiations aimed at achieving a ceasefire between the two sides have taken place in Doha, Qatar, with mediation by Turkey and Qatar. These talks have led to the signing of a peace agreement. However, there is still no indication that the border crossings will reopen anytime soon.

The closure of the official border crossings has had a direct impact on the lives of thousands of Afghans living in bordering areas. In the context of mismanagement by the Taliban administration and mounting economic pressures, the situation has only worsened the humanitarian crisis in these regions.