# The commercial cost of Afghan intransigence

> Afghan border closure slashes Pak-Afghan trade by 74% as businesses suffer.
- Title: The commercial cost of Afghan intransigence · Dawn | Shortify
- Summary: Afghan border closure slashes Pak-Afghan trade by 74% as businesses suffer. Pak-Afghan trade dropped from $1.3bn in FY24-25 to $358m in FY25-26 due to border…
- Keywords: pakistan, afghanistan, trade, border closure, torkham, khyber pakhtunkhwa, pharmaceuticals, potato market, news, politics, commercial, cost
- Source: Dawn — https://dawn.com/news/2038209/the-commercial-cost-of-afghan-intransigence
- Author: Manzoor Ali
- Published: 2026-10-19T01:39:20+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: pakistan, afghanistan, trade, border closure, torkham, khyber pakhtunkhwa, pharmaceuticals, potato market, news, politics
## Torkham border terminal
Goods trucks remain parked at the Torkham border’s terminal since its closure amid tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

> Goods trucks remain parked at the Torkham border’s terminal since its closure amid tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan., Photo by the writer
## Trade decline
Bilateral trade fell from $1.3 billion in FY24-25 to $358 million in FY25-26, a 74% drop.
## Border closures
Torkham, Kharlachi, Ghulam Khan, Angoor Adda, and Chaman border crossings remain closed for trade.
## Pharmaceutical impact
Pharmaceutical exports to Afghanistan dropped from $130 million in FY23-24 to near zero.
## Potato market crisis
Up to 50 trucks of potatoes used to cross daily; border closure reduced crop cultivation by almost half.
## Transport sector collapse
Transporters sold three of five trucks due to border closure, with KP transport nearly ruined.
## Economic impact
KP businesses face higher logistics costs and reduced economic opportunities due to border closure.
## Junaid Altaf's view
KP businesses need secure borders, regulated trade, competitive industry, and shared prosperity.
## Malik Sohni's view
Potato prices will rise as demand increases against limited supply due to border closure.
## Fuad Ishaq's view
Security comes first; cutting ties with Afghanistan reduces burden on hospitals and schools.
## Trade corridor potential
KP could become a stronger pharmaceutical production and export centre with trade access.
## Loss of market access
Pakistani potato exports to Afghanistan dropped by 50% after border closure.
## Financial impact
Businesses lost Rs180 million when potato prices crashed after border closure.
## Trade corridor decline
Afghan Transit Trade dropped from 89,000 containers valued at $5 billion to 11,592 containers worth $367 million.
## Key takeaway

Pak-Afghan trade dropped from $1.3bn in FY24-25 to $358m in FY25-26 due to border closures.