Taliban Demands Pakistan Guarantee Open Trade Routes
The Taliban administration in Afghanistan has called on Pakistan to provide strong and explicit guarantees to ensure that trade routes between the two countries remain permanently open.
Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, made the demand during a meeting with a group of traders and industrialists. He criticized Pakistan for previously closing trade routes abruptly, particularly during Afghanistan’s fruit export season, and warned that such disruptions must not be repeated.
Baradar emphasized that trade routes with Pakistan would only remain open if Islamabad guarantees they will not be closed under any circumstances—whether under normal conditions or during crises.
He stated that Afghan traders currently engaged in contracts with Pakistan would be given three months to settle their financial accounts before shifting to alternative import and export routes. He claimed that Pakistani goods are of low quality and that Pakistan has frequently disrupted Afghan exports.
Also speaking at the meeting, Nooruddin Azizi, the Taliban’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, reiterated that without a clear and formal agreement from Pakistan ensuring open trade routes, no trade between the two countries would be possible.
“Trade can only continue in the spirit of brotherhood and equality. Without that, Afghanistan is not obliged to maintain such relations,” he said.
The Taliban’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce claimed that Afghanistan has multiple options and alternative routes for continuing regional and global trade. However, the lack of a recognized government and official diplomatic relations remains a significant barrier to developing these alternatives.
