Pakistan has chosen to prolong the closure of Afghan border crossings, citing the security situation, saying that the protection of citizens is far more valuable than trade interests.
Border crossings between the two countries have remained closed since October 11, following clashes earlier this month that killed dozens on both sides in the worst fighting since the Taliban's 2021 takeover of Kabul.
In his maiden weekly press briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi confirmed that the decision follows last week's security developments, which necessitated strict border control measures.
It is noteworthy to mention here that the border closures between Pakistan and Afghanistan pushed up prices of essential goods in both nations, with tomatoes now costing five times more in Pakistan.
"The Afghan border crossings will remain closed; the life of a common Pakistani is more valuable than trade or goods transport," the spokesperson said.
Fresh fruit, vegetables, minerals, medicine, wheat, rice, sugar, meat and dairy products make up most of the $2.3 billion annual trade volume between the two countries.
Around 5,000 containers of goods are stranded on both sides of the border, said a Pakistani official at the main Torkham border crossing in northwest Pakistan.
Regarding the recent ceasefire talks held in Doha between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the spokesperson confirmed that a document had been agreed upon and signed.
Andrabi said that it makes no difference if the Afghan Taliban regime considers it an agreement or not.
On the issue of the Kunar River, Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to adhering to international laws.
The border clashes were triggered after Islamabad demanded that Kabul control militants who attack Pakistan across their shared border, saying they operated from havens in Afghanistan.
A ceasefire was agreed in talks hosted by Qatar and Turkey last weekend and is holding between the two sides, but the border trade remains closed. The next round of negotiations is scheduled for October 25 in Istanbul.
Commenting on India–Afghanistan relations, the spokesperson said that India's reopening of its embassy in Afghanistan is an internal matter between the two countries.
"We do not comment on the internal affairs of other states. However, India's role in Afghanistan has not been particularly positive,” the spokesperson added.
On Israel, the spokesperson stated that Tel Aviv continues to violate international laws.
"We will keep raising this issue. Pakistan is closely monitoring Israeli violations and the events leading to them. The establishment of a Palestinian state remains the only roadmap we adhere to," the spokesperson said.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) said today that before the suspension of trade, customs authorities had completed the clearance of import vehicles at the Torkham and Ghulam Khan border points.
Clearance of import vehicles at Kharlachi and Angoor Adda border crossings was also completed, the revenue board said in a statement.
The FBR said that a total of 363 import vehicles were cleared before trade was suspended.
However, 23 import vehicles at Torkham are still awaiting clearance as their importers have not yet submitted the goods declarations (GDs).
"These vehicles contain non-perishable items such as fabric, paint, peanuts and pulses," the statement said, adding that customs authorities would complete the clearance process immediately once the importers submit the GDs.
Due to the border closure, 255 export-loaded vehicles are currently parked inside the Torkham terminal, while around 200 vehicles remain stranded along the Jamrud-Landi Kotal road, the FBR said.
No imported vehicles are awaiting clearance at the Ghulam Khan, Kharlachi or Angoor Adda border stations, the statement clarified.
The revenue board further said that Customs clearance operations at the Chaman border have been suspended since October 15, where five import and 23 export vehicles are awaiting processing.
The owners of these consignments have refused to take them back and are waiting for the reopening of the border and the resumption of trade, the FBR said.
It added that around 495 transit vehicles are currently waiting to cross the border at Torkham and Chaman. Customs staff remain present at the border points, and clearance operations will resume once the situation normalises and borders reopen, it concluded.
— Additional input from Reuters