Mullah Baradar Announces 24-Hour Operation of Hairatan Port to Boost Afghanistan-Uzbekistan Trade

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of the Taliban administration, has announced that services at Hairatan Port in Balkh province will operate 24 hours a day. According to him, this move aims to expand trade between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.

Mullah Baradar’s office, in a statement, said that he traveled to Balkh on Wednesday (20 May) leading a delegation of officials from various Taliban departments. During this visit, issues related to port activities and trade facilitation were reviewed.

The statement further noted that in coordination with the departments involved in managing Hairatan Port, the organizational structures of different sections of this border crossing will be expanded to enable round-the-clock service. However, no details were provided regarding the exact timeline for implementing this plan or its funding sources.

Hairatan Port is considered one of Afghanistan’s most important trade gateways in the northern region, through which a significant portion of imports and exports between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan are conducted. Economic activists have previously emphasized the need for greater facilitation and transparent management at this port.