Afghan, Pakistani Traders Seek Passage for 10,000 Stuck Containers

The Afghanistan-Pakistan Joint Chamber of Commerce has called on Kabul and Islamabad to allow the 10,000 containers that have been stuck at ports for around 100 days due to road closures to pass through just once.

Members of the chamber say re-exporting these containers would cause heavy financial losses, estimated at $75 million.

Economic analyst Abdul Nasir Rishtia said: “If these containers are sent back, it will cause major losses for traders. The Islamic Emirate should work with Pakistan to create a mechanism to restore trade to normal, or at least allow these stuck containers to pass.”

Figures show that the trade disruption over the past 105 days has caused Afghan exporters losses of $233 million, and Afghan importers nearly $126 million.

The head of the chamber stressed that efforts by the private sector in both countries to release the goods are continuing, but governments must now take action and resolve the issue.

The Afghanistan-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce head, Khan Jan Alokozai, said: “Efforts are ongoing to return to talks, but our discussions will not help unless the governments are determined to solve the problem.”

Economic analyst Qutbuddin Yaqubi said: “Both sides should not use trade for political gain, and politics and trade must be separated.”

Pakistani media reported that road closures have also affected Afghanistan’s exports to India through Pakistan and the Wagah border, which were worth $200 million annually, causing Afghan exporters losses of $58 million.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has also suffered losses due to trade disruptions, with exports worth $437 million to Afghanistan and $262 million to Central Asia affected.