Due to Kabul’s guarantees to Islamabad in the TTP and other key issues, trade between the two parties has reached $ 1 billion in the first six months of 2025.
The latest report published by the Afghan Ministry of Commerce shows a growing interest in bilateral trade. According to the data, Afghanistan registered $ 277 million in exports to Pakistan, while Islamabad generated $ 712 million in exports to Afghanistan during the first half of the current year.
The main exports of Afghanistan to Pakistan included cotton, coal, soft stone and dry fruits. In return, Islamabad exported industrial and food items.
“Pakistan and Afghanistan are commercial partners, naturally, geographically linked. However, the new restrictions and prohibitions of certain articles have created mixed feelings among merchants on both sides, resulting in a decrease in commercial volume. We must separate the trade from politics, security concerns and TTP,” said a senior Afghan official. The express trustee by phone.
To reach previous commercial levels of more than $ 3 billion, Islamabad must show flexibility in customs duties and activate the facilitation committees in the four main border points: Torkham, Ghulam Khan, Kharlachi and Spin Ballak (Chaman). The services at the Wagah, Karachi border and Gwadar ports must also resume, since Afghan merchants face difficulties in all the aforementioned ports, said Noor Khan, a jalalab coal merchant, speaking with The PAkGazette.
“Due to the difficulties in the border crossings, the problems of the visa and the restrictions of Islamabad after each security incident, the trade is severely affected. However, the six -month figures still reflect a positive diplomatic commitment between Islamabad and Kabul, largely due to the attached visit of the Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and the diplomacy of the Sadiq Khan embassy,” Noor Khan added.
“This is a positive development in bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which has almost reached $ 1 billion in the first half of 2025 (January-June). If trade continues without interruption, the bilateral trade volume could reach $ 2 billion at the end of the year”, with Haq Nawaz Khan, a senior journalist The Washington Postsaid The express trustee.
“The current commercial balance can reach the $ 2 billion peak witnessed a decade ago. Both parties must intensify diplomatic efforts to increase the volume to the $ 6 billion target. This remains a discouraging task due to prevailing security challenges,” Haq added.
“Commercial volumes were slow between 2020 and 2023, remaining below $ 1 billion. However, despite political and security obstacles and trade closures, trade has continued.”
“Islamabad has been taking measures to ensure that the flow of commerce remains without running despite the serious challenges. The efforts of the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Muhammad Ishaq Dar, and Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq are throwing positive results, which leads to unprecedented growth in exports and imports.”
Bilateral commercial data published by the Kabul Ministry of Industry and Commerce show that trade remains inclined in favor of Pakistan, and Pakistan represents approximately 70% of total commercial exports, compared to 30% of Afghanistan.
“I think Kabul and Islamabad should address trade separately from political problems, which have significantly harmed trade in recent years,” said Haq. “The recent wave of terrorism in the northwest of Pakistan Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a serious challenge, but this should not affect trade. If Pakistan and Afghanistan continue to create obstacles, other countries can capture their respective markets.”
It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan’s special envoy will visit Kabul in the next few days to relieve the commercial environment and discuss the TTP problem, which has generated concerns in the districts of the North and South.
