KABUL _Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, has called on Afghan traders to end their reliance on Pakistan for imports and exports and to seek alternative trade routes through other neighboring countries. Speaking at a meeting with industrialists and business representatives in Kabul, Mullah Baradar warned that traders who continue to conduct business through Pakistan will not receive any assistance or support from the Islamic Emirate in the future.
Baradar’s Stern Warning to Traders
He stated,
“From today onward, all Afghan traders must choose other countries as alternative trade routes instead of Pakistan. If anyone faces any issue or obstruction in Pakistan, the Afghan government will neither hear their complaints nor help them resolve their problems.”
According to government sources, Kabul is now exploring new trade pathways through Central Asian states, Iran, and Turkey to minimize dependence on Pakistan’s transit routes.
Rising Economic and Political Tensions
Observers believe this policy shift comes amid growing tensions between Kabul and Islamabad, particularly after recent border closures and trade restrictions. These measures have caused significant financial losses reportedly amounting to billions of rupees for both Afghan traders and transporters dependent on the Pakistani route.
Strategic Shift in Regional Trade
The Afghan government’s consideration of Central Asia, Iran, and Turkey for trade expansion reflects a broader strategic effort to integrate more deeply into Eurasian economic corridors. Analysts suggest this could also align Afghanistan with initiatives such as the Trans-Caspian trade network and Iran’s Chabahar Port, both of which offer alternatives to Pakistan’s traditional routes.
Mullah Baradar’s remarks mark a significant turning point in Afghanistan’s regional trade policy. The move to diversify trade channels may reshape the country’s economic landscape and further strain relations with Pakistan, which has historically served as Afghanistan’s primary trade and transit partner.