Afghan fruit exporters report ongoing delays of 24 to 48 hours at Pakistan's Torkham crossing, causing spoilage of perishable goods and financial losses. They warn that continued disruptions will damage agriculture and trade. Exporters attribute the problem to inefficiency among Pakistani authorities and congestion at the border.
The closure of the Wagah border and the Ghulam Khan and Kharlachi gates has concentrated pressure on Torkham. Exporters stress that trucks carrying fruits and vegetables should be prioritized over coal or empty vehicles. They also point out that the Taliban's Ministry of Industry and Commerce had promised 14 hours of daily passage for perishables, but exporters say this has not been implemented, with even six hours not enforced.
Yaman Watanyar, a grape exporter, says his shipments were stuck for two days: "Half an hour ago, I spoke with the drivers of my trucks; they were still on Afghan soil. They left Kabul yesterday at 10 a.m., but they still haven't reached the other side of the crossing. If my grape shipments remain on the road for two nights and reach Pakistan on the third night, they won't even cover the transportation costs. The heat is intense, and it's even hotter in Pakistan. The produce doesn't arrive on time, and as a result, we not only fail to make a profit but also incur losses." He called for an additional commercial crossing and prioritization of fresh produce.
Omid Haidari says Pakistan only allows Afghan trucks in proportion to the number of Pakistani trucks entering Afghanistan. "Daily, between 300 and 350 trucks of goods are exported to Pakistan, but on average, only 100 to 130 trucks are allowed to cross, with the rest delayed at the border for one or two days. If these challenges persist, traders will suffer losses. Some traders even said today that if this situation continues, they will halt shipments. If that happens, the prices of farmers' products will drop, dealing a major blow to the country's agriculture sector." He calls for air corridors and railways to reduce dependence on a single land route.
Exporter Gada Muhammad Kohdamani says delays of 24 to 48 hours have persisted for a month, and that the Taliban's promise of 14 hours of passage for perishables is not being applied. He adds that a recent agreement for a 50 per cent customs discount has not been implemented, with tariffs of 9,250 Pakistani rupees (US$33) per ton of tomatoes still charged.
According to the Taliban's Ministry of Industry and Commerce, in the first six months of 2025, trade with Pakistan reached US$989 million, with exports of US$277 million and imports of US$712 million. The Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, however, reported in September 2024 that trade had declined by up to 70 per cent.
Source: 8 am Media