Pakistan, Oct 24 : Prices of essential goods have surged sharply in Pakistan following the closure of the border with Afghanistan, triggered by violent clashes and Pakistani airstrikes along the 2,600-km frontier since October 11. The shutdown has brought cross border trade to a standstill, severely affecting the supply of vegetables, fruits, and other daily necessities.
According to Khan Jan Alokozay, head of the Pak-Afghan Chamber of Commerce in Kabul, both nations are losing around $1 million daily due to halted trade. Annual trade between the countries, worth $2.3 billion, includes fresh fruits, vegetables, minerals, medicines, wheat, rice, sugar, meat, and dairy products.
In Pakistan, tomato prices have skyrocketed by over 400%, reaching Rs 600 per kg, while capsicum is now selling at Rs 300 per kg. Other essentials have also become costlier: garlic is Rs 400/kg, ginger Rs 750/kg, onions Rs 120/kg, peas Rs 500/kg, okra Rs 300/kg, cucumbers Rs 150/kg, red carrots Rs 200/kg, and local lemons Rs 300/kg. Coriander, previously free, now costs Rs 50 per small bunch.
The border closure has stranded around 5,000 containers of goods at key crossings, causing spoilage of nearly 500 containers of vegetables daily, further exacerbating shortages of tomatoes, apples, and grapes in Pakistani markets.
The conflict erupted after Pakistan urged Afghanistan’s Taliban government to act against militants crossing the border, allegations Kabul has denied. Despite a ceasefire brokered by Qatar and Turkey holding since last weekend, trade remains halted. Officials expect the next round of talks in Istanbul on October 25 to address the ongoing crisis.