Pakistan Suspends Trade with Afghanistan Until Security Concerns Are Addressed

Thamar Haroon Baloch, advisor to the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan, stated that trade between the two countries will not resume as long as terrorist attacks from Afghan territory against Pakistan continue and Islamabad’s security concerns remain unresolved. He called on the Taliban administration to prevent armed groups from using Afghan soil to launch attacks against Pakistan. According to him, the reopening of trade crossings depends on the resolution of Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns and practical cooperation from Taliban authorities. Trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan has been halted since October 2025. This suspension followed border clashes and Pakistan’s airstrikes in various areas of Afghanistan, which resulted in dozens of casualties and led to the closure of key crossings, including Torkham and Spin Boldak. Pakistan has stated that these measures were taken for security reasons and has accused the Taliban of allowing the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan group to operate from Afghan soil; an allegation denied by the Taliban administration. The suspension of trade has caused a sharp decline in economic exchanges between the two countries, forcing Afghan traders to use alternative routes such as Iran and Central Asian countries.