Afghan Deputy PM Orders Traders to Stop Using Pakistan Routes Amid Escalating Tensions

Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, has instructed Afghan traders and industrialists to immediately shift their import and export activities away from Pakistan. His directive signals a tougher stance from Kabul and reflects deepening trade tensions between the two neighboring countries.

According to reports from Khorasan Diary, Baradar warned that the Islamic Emirate will no longer provide any support or compensation to traders who continue using Pakistani routes, especially if they suffer losses or face disruptions in the future. This message serves as a clear indication that the Afghan government wants businesses to diversify their trade corridors and reduce reliance on Pakistan.

The order comes at a time when relations between the two nations are increasingly strained. Afghanistan recently imposed restrictions on the import of Pakistani medicines and several other goods, adding pressure to an already fragile commercial relationship. Baradar’s directive is expected to push Afghan traders toward alternative regional routes, including those through Iran, Central Asia, and China, altering long-standing trade patterns.

This development underscores a growing shift in Afghanistan’s economic strategy as it seeks to strengthen regional partnerships while minimizing dependence on Pakistan amid ongoing political and border-related disputes.