Weeks of uncertainty and hardship plague Pakistani truck drivers at the Afghanistan border, as an escalating diplomatic standoff has brought vital regional trade to a grinding halt. Hundreds of vehicles are backed up at crossing points, leaving drivers in precarious situations with limited access to basic survival needs.
The comprehensive shutdown of cross-border activities has effectively frozen shipments of Pakistan’s popular kinnow fruit, along with numerous other exports bound for Afghanistan, Iran, and Central Asian markets. This disruption is a direct consequence of clashes between Pakistani and Afghan security forces, the most severe since the Taliban’s resurgence in 2021, fueled by Pakistan’s accusations of insufficient action against militants on Afghan territory.
This trade impasse has struck at the heart of the kinnow export season, a period crucial for generating revenue. Perishable goods are rotting, causing significant financial distress throughout the supply chain, from the growers to the transport companies. Attempts to alleviate the financial pressure, such as seeking exemptions from stringent banking regulations for exports routed through Iran, have reportedly been unsuccessful.
Last year’s kinnow export earnings of $110 million are now forecast to decline to $100 million this year. The economic fallout extends to thousands of containers of bilateral and regional cargo stranded across Pakistan. Traders and clearing agents are facing mounting demurrage charges, with daily costs ranging from $150 to $200 per container. Urgent intervention is needed to waive these penalties and prevent widespread business failures among small exporters.