Afghan Minister Criticizes Pakistan's Trade Barriers Amid Export Decline

Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, Taliban's Political Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, criticized Pakistan for its trade barriers affecting Afghan exports, particularly fruits and vegetables. He suggested that Afghanistan might close its transit route to Central Asia in response to these restrictions, which have caused a 10% decline in exports.

Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, the Taliban's Political Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, has voiced strong criticism against Pakistan for imposing trade barriers that are adversely affecting Afghan merchants during the critical fruit and vegetable trading season.

In a meeting with local traders in Afghanistan's Logar province, Stanikzai highlighted the mutual detriment of any trade route closures between the two nations. He added that Afghanistan is pivotal for transit between Pakistan and Central Asia, and though they could shut their borders, the goal is not to harm their Pakistani counterparts.

Stanikzai urged Pakistan to maintain open borders to facilitate Afghan produce reaching broader markets, including India. The trade obstruction has notably led to a 10% decrease in Afghan exports to Pakistan, aligning with hikes in customs tariffs and ignored trade agreements by Islamabad, according to Khaama Press.

(With inputs from agencies.)