Uzbekistan Deal Marks Afghanistan’s Trade Shift Amid Pakistan Border Issues

Kabul — Afghanistan has finalized major trade agreements with Uzbekistan, marking a strategic shift in the country’s economic partnerships amid ongoing border disruptions with Pakistan. Ataullah Zaid, spokesperson for the Balkh provincial governor, confirmed on Sunday that Uzbekistan will export cement and affordable pharmaceuticals directly to Afghanistan, prioritizing Kabul and other major cities.

The agreement comes as Afghanistan faces a severe cement shortage, which has stalled construction projects nationwide. Officials say imports from Uzbekistan are expected to meet domestic demand, allowing stalled building projects to resume.

Beyond cement and medicines, the deal also reshapes Afghanistan’s export routes. Afghan coal and rock phosphate, historically exported to Pakistan, will now be sent to Uzbekistan. Analysts see this as a clear pivot away from Pakistan, reflecting the Taliban regime’s effort to diversify trade channels and reduce dependency on a single neighbor.

Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, recently warned that Pakistan must provide firm guarantees against unilateral border closures if trade routes are to remain open. He emphasized that repeated closures have been used as political leverage, causing substantial losses for Afghan traders.

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Meanwhile, Minister of Industry and Commerce Nooruddin Azizi is visiting India until 25 December to explore new trade opportunities, underscoring Kabul’s push for diversified regional partnerships. Frequent border closures due to clashes and rising militant activity have disrupted trade and travel, increasing economic strain on Afghan businesses. Analysts suggest that the Uzbekistan deal and outreach to India are part of a broader strategy to strengthen Afghanistan’s economic resilience.