KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Afghan and Pakistani traders have agreed to form a joint committee to explore reopening key trade crossings between the two countries, following a virtual meeting between private-sector representatives.
In a statement, the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) said the online meeting, held on Sunday, focused on challenges facing bilateral trade and ways to resume operations at closed border points.
According to Pakistani media outlet Aaj News, the two sides agreed to form a 12-member committee, with six representatives from each country. 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 ease existing barriers.
Traders on both sides expressed hope that the committee’s work would ease border restrictions and facilitate smoother trade operations.
Sayed Karim Hashemi, head of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, said closed borders have harmed businesses in both countries and stressed that coordinated efforts between the two chambers could help restore trade. Atef Akram Sheikh, head of the Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, added that allowing Afghan trucks to enter Pakistan should be prioritized as an initial step.
Key border routes between the two countries have been closed for about three months following clashes between the Taliban and Pakistani forces in late 2025. Pakistan closed all crossings after roughly a week of fighting in the border areas.
The prolonged closure has caused significant losses for traders. Afghan traders reported daily losses of at least $2.5 million, while Pakistani media reported export and import losses of $45 million and $59 million, respectively, as of early November.
Bilateral trade between the two countries has fluctuated in recent years, peaking at around $2.5 billion in 2010, falling to $1.6 billion, and rising slightly to just over $1.8 billion in 2022–23, according to the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
