Due to Afghan Pak clash, millions of dollars are being lost on the border every day.
First India and now Afghanistan, neighboring country Pakistan has become so entangled in the war that it has to pay a heavy price every day. After cross-border trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan was disrupted, prices of essential commodities have increased rapidly in both the countries. The strike, which began on October 11 following heavy clashes along the 2,600-km border and Pakistani air strikes, has led to a steep rise in prices of food items, especially tomatoes and fruits. On the other hand, both the countries are facing trade losses worth millions of dollars. The special thing is that there is a trade of about 2.5 billion dollars between the two countries. Let us also tell you what kind of story the figures are telling.
business came to a standstill
According to Khan Jan Alokozay, head of the Kabul-based Pak-Afghan Chamber of Commerce, all trade and transportation has come to a standstill since the fighting began, Reuters reported. He told Reuters that with each passing day, both sides were losing about $1 million. There is movement of fresh fruits, vegetables, minerals, medicines, wheat, rice, sugar, meat and dairy products between the two countries. If we talk about the annual trade between the two countries, it is worth 2.3 billion dollars.
Rise in prices of tomatoes and vegetables
In Pakistan, the prices of tomatoes used in everyday cooking have increased by more than 400 percent to about 600 Pakistani rupees ($2.13) per kg. Apples, which mostly come from Afghanistan, have also become very expensive. A report in Pakistani daily Express Tribune said that garlic has reached Rs 400 per kg, while ginger has reached Rs 750.
Onion is being sold at Rs 120 per kg and peas at Rs 500 per kg. The price of capsicum has come down to Rs 300 per kg and ladyfinger is also being sold at the same rate. Cucumber is available at Rs 150 per kg and local red carrots are available at Rs 200 per kg. Local lemons have become priced at Rs 300 per kg, while coriander, which was earlier available free, now costs Rs 50 for a small bunch.
Reuters quoted Alokojay as saying that about 500 containers of vegetables come to us every day for export, all of which have been spoiled. A Pakistani official at the main Torkham border in north-west Pakistan said about 5,000 containers of goods were stuck on both sides. He further said that there is already a shortage of tomatoes, apples and grapes in the market.
Reasons and further discussion
The latest clashes began after Pakistan requested Afghanistan’s Taliban government to take action against terrorists who cross the border and carry out attacks in Pakistan. Kabul has denied these allegations. Although a ceasefire brokered by Qatar and Türkiye last weekend remains in force, trade between the two sides is still closed. The next round of talks is expected to take place in Istanbul on October 25. Pakistan’s Commerce Ministry has not yet commented on the current situation.