Afghanistan-Pakistan Joint Chamber Demands Release of 10,000 Stalled Containers

The Afghanistan-Pakistan Joint Chamber of Commerce has announced that nearly 10,000 containers of goods have been stuck at ports for over three months due to closed transit routes, calling for urgent action from authorities.

Members of the chamber warn that if these containers are re-exported, traders will face heavy financial losses estimated at around $75 million. Many of the goods halted are perishable or time-sensitive.

According to provided information, the continued blockade of trade routes over the past approximately 105 days has caused losses of about $233 million to Afghan exporters and nearly $126 million to importers, putting serious pressure on the private sector and domestic markets.

Khan Jan Alkozi, head of the joint chamber, emphasized that private sector efforts in both countries to free these shipments are ongoing, but ultimately the responsibility lies with the Taliban administration in Kabul and Pakistani authorities to make practical decisions to prevent ongoing damage to traders and the regional economy.