Pakistan Halts Loading Of Afghan Traders’ Goods At Karachi Port
Pakistan has ordered Karachi Port to suspend the loading of goods belonging to Afghan traders until further notice, Afghan traders told Afghanistan International on Tuesday.
According to the traders, around 2,000 containers at Torkham and Spin Boldak and another 800 at Karachi Port have been stranded over the past three days. Pakistani officials reportedly informed them that the Torkham and Spin Boldak crossings will remain closed indefinitely.
Traders expressed concern that many of the containers carry perishable goods such as fruit and vegetables, which risk spoiling if delays persist.
Audio recordings shared by Afghan traders suggest that the resumption of cargo loading in Karachi could take time. Pakistani transport companies have reportedly been instructed not to handle Afghan-owned containers.
Afghan business owners have called on both the Taliban administration and the Pakistani government to “keep politics out of trade” and prevent further disruption to commerce.
The closure of key border crossings including Torkham, Spin Boldak, Ghulam Khan, Angoor Adda and Kharlachi has entered its third day, halting the movement of goods and passengers between the two countries.
