Pak-Afghanistan Trade Falls 53 Precent As Border Closures Persist
Trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan has dropped by 53 precent amid the prolonged closure of key border crossings, Pakistani media reported, citing official data.
The Nation newspaper reported that bilateral trade fell from $1.26 billion in the first half of the 2024–25 fiscal year to $594 million in the same period of 2025–26. An official source told the newspaper the sharp decline was primarily due to the continued shutdown of border crossings between the two countries.
According to the report, Pakistan closed eight border crossing points with Afghanistan following clashes between Pakistani forces and the Taliban on October 11, 2025.
Pakistani exporters are losing an estimated $177 million per month as a result of the prolonged closures, the newspaper said.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has repeatedly said the crossings will remain closed until Afghanistan’s rulers provide credible, written guarantees to prevent militant attacks and take action against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP.
Trade ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan have deteriorated amid rising security tensions, with Islamabad accusing the Taliban of failing to curb militant activity along the border, an allegation the Taliban deny.
