Traders promised to resolve any problems that arose following the border closure with Afghanistan.

Rana Ihsaan Afzal, the Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Commerce, promised shopkeepers in the southwest city of Chaman on Wednesday that Islamabad would deal with the problems brought on by the suspension of border crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan since October.

Following intense fighting between the two nations in October, Pakistan blocked its main border crossings with Afghanistan, including the one in Chaman, for trade and human mobility. Due to financial losses, disruptions in the export of perishable commodities, increased unemployment, and difficulties for the local population that depends on cross-border trade, traders on both sides have called on their governments to reopen the crossings.

Afzal presided over a high-level consultative meeting with representatives from the Chaman District and the Chaman Chamber of Commerce & Industry in Islamabad, including leaders, traders, and community members.

According to the ministry, “the coordinator reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing border trade challenges and ensuring that local communities continue to thrive.”

According to the statement, Afzal acknowledged the concerns expressed by the stakeholders and emphasized that the government’s top priority is to address the problems facing Chaman’s communities.

Delegates discussed the socioeconomic effects of the suspension of border trade between both sides, including monetary losses and increased unemployment.

According to the statement, “the issues discussed will be escalated to pertinent national and bilateral forums to seek sustainable solutions, with a focus on establishing predictable, transparent, and efficient border management protocols that balance security with legitimate trade.”