Business leaders from Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to form a joint committee to review the reopening of key trade crossings between the two countries, following an online meeting between private-sector representatives.
According to a report by Aaj News, the meeting was held on Sunday, and focused on challenges facing bilateral trade and ways to resume operations at closed border crossings.
The talks were led by Atif Ikram Sheikh, president of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and Sayed Karim Hashemi, acting head of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce.
Participants agreed to establish a 12-member joint committee, with six representatives from each side. The committee’s first meeting is scheduled for January 6 at the Torkham border crossing, where members will assess the feasibility of reopening trade routes and explore ways to reduce existing barriers.
Traders from both countries expressed hope that the committee’s work would ease trade disruptions and allow the more orderly resumption of the movement of goods across border crossings.
Key border routes between Pakistan and Afghanistan have remained closed since heightened tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan in late 2025.
The prolonged closures have caused significant economic losses for traders on both sides of the border, according to business groups.
