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Pakistan’s Suspension of Afghan Transit Trade: A Strategic Pressure Move
Pakistan has officially
suspended the Afghan Transit Trade (ATT), cancelling passes and offloading containers at ports and key crossings. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) cited operational congestion caused by the closure of Torkham and Chaman borders following deadly clashes — but the move is part of a broader crackdown on smuggling, under-invoicing, and misuse of ATT channels that have long enabled illicit financial flows. Under Customs General Orders 97 and 98 of 2025, all transit is subject to strict technological tracking and remains fully suspended until border operations normalize.
For Afghanistan’s economy, the impact is immediate and severe. As a landlocked state, over 80% of Afghan imports — including food, fuel, and construction materials — move through Pakistan’s ports and overland routes. Alternatives like Iran’s Chabahar Port or Uzbekistan’s rail corridors exist, but they are slower by 7–10 days, cost up to 30% more, and lack the capacity for high-volume shipments, making them short-term substitutes at best.
The geopolitical timing is no coincidence. The suspension follows Pakistans conflict with Taliban, killing over 200 militants — including TTP — after unprovoked cross-border attacks on Pakistani posts. Islamabad has consistently accused the Afghan Taliban of providing safe havens to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), whose cross-border raids have surged by 50% in 2025. ATT routes have been implicated in funding and logistical networks that sustain these groups. A 48-hour ceasefire was brokered at Kabul’s request on October 15, but trade remains suspended — signalling that Islamabad is now explicitly linking economic access to security cooperation.
✍️ In essence, this is economic coercion as a tool of regional statecraft. By leveraging its geographic chokehold, Pakistan is forcing the Taliban to choose between TTP and Pakistan with stable bilateral ties. Kabul’s initial response has been muted, focused on the ceasefire, but prolonged disruption could intensify internal economic unrest in Afghanistan, whose GDP is already projected to contract by 2.5% in 2025. Regional observers warn of ripple effects: Central Asia could face trade realignments, Iran’s Chabahar may see a temporary boost, and SAARC dynamics could be further strained. This suspension isn’t just about customs or congestion — it’s about strategic leverage, security alignment, and reshaping Kabul’s calculus on cross-border militancy.
Sources: Dawn | Express Tribune | Geo News | Tolo News | Policy Circles | Regional Security Briefings
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