Pakistan: poor border control is hurting the country’s economy as traffic between Afghanistan and Balochistan is still halted.

Pakistan: A worsening economic crisis has been brought on by the closure of border crossings between Afghanistan and Balochistan; Punjab alone is allegedly losing more than Rs80 billion per month as a result of blocked commerce. According to The Balochistan Post, business executives caution that Pakistan’s inability to maintain steady cross-border trade is exacerbating inflationary pressures and undermining investor confidence, which is already precarious.

The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry and The Balochistan Post claim that the closure of important commercial routes due to border tensions in October of last year has essentially stopped bilateral commerce. Businesses that rely on the Afghan market have lost a lot of money, especially those in the cement, agricultural chemicals, and food export industries.

The closures, according to chamber leaders, have shown the state’s incapacity to keep political and security conflicts apart from economic cooperation—a trend that has repeatedly harmed Pakistan’s economy.

On both sides of the border, thousands of merchants are still stuck. According to estimates, the extended restrictions have trapped about 3,000 merchants, many of whom are from Pakistan. According to reports, truckloads of perishable products imported from Afghanistan, including fresh and dried fruits, are decaying at border crossings, causing significant financial harm.

Pakistan’s export industry has been severely weakened by its inability to export building materials, pharmaceuticals, and vegetables.

According to industry analysts, drivers, loaders, and small operators are finding it difficult to survive as a result of the disruption that has affected the transportation and logistics sectors.

They contend that Pakistan’s access to Central Asian markets is facilitated by the Afghan border, which is also essential for bilateral commerce. According to The Balochistan Post, the ongoing suspension is escalating economic hardship, lowering earnings, and escalating public annoyance since exports are already highly dependent on neighboring nations.

The federal government and tax officials have also come under fire for not providing assistance to impacted dealers. Companies lament that shipments, especially agricultural products intended for Afghanistan, have died without being reimbursed, and the transportation industry is on the verge of going bankrupt.

They contend that rather than being the result of unforeseen events, the absence of emergency measures is a reflection of policy stagnation. Trade leaders have asked Pakistan and Afghanistan to restore border crossings immediately and cooperate diplomatically, according to The Balochistan Post.