Indian Media Claim Afghanistan–Pakistan Trade Freeze Has Hit Islamabad the Hardest

Indian media report that the Afghanistan–Pakistan trade freeze has caused disproportionate economic strain on Islamabad, triggering shortages, rising prices and growing unrest in border regions.

Indian media outlets have reported that the halt in cross-border trade between Kabul and Pakistan has inflicted disproportionate damage on Islamabad. India Today claimed on Monday that nearly 50 days after the shutdown of major crossings, the economic strain is weighing far more heavily on Pakistan than on Afghanistan.

However, Afghan officials and traders have rejected this narrative, saying the Indian reporting overlooks the significant losses suffered on the Afghanistan side. They argue that while Pakistan may be under pressure, the impact on Afghan exporters has been immediate and severe.

Afghan traders say hundreds of trucks carrying fresh fruits, vegetables and dried fruits have been stranded for weeks at border points, leading to large-scale spoilage of perishable goods. Exporters warn that grapes, pomegranates and apples worth millions of dollars have rotted before reaching markets in Pakistan and beyond.

Transport companies also report major financial strain as trucks remain immobilised at the crossings. Drivers have been forced to spend days in harsh conditions, paying for food, security and fuel while losing income. Afghanistan business associations say these losses invalidate claims that Kabul has escaped the brunt of the crisis.

Despite these setbacks, the India Today report notes that Kabul has moved quickly to diversify trade routes through Iran, India and Central Asian countries. Afghan exporters have redirected part of their supply chains to avoid complete market disruption.

The suspension has also triggered shortages, rising prices and production setbacks for several Pakistani industries dependent on Afghanistan imports and exports. Pakistan’s cement and pharmaceutical sectors are among the worst hit, according to the coverage. Islamabad has also confirmed that the UN has urged it to reconsider the border closures.

Even so, Afghanistan’s fragile economy is facing renewed pressure, with agricultural exports to Pakistan having fallen to zero since the shutdown. Businesses on both sides now acknowledge that the prolonged standoff has created a chain reaction across regional markets.

Pakistani military spokesperson Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry earlier defended the shutdown, saying “blood and trade cannot go together,” signalling a hardened security-first policy. But with mounting economic pressure in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and heavy losses for Afghanistan exporters, analysts believe both countries may soon be forced to rethink the long-term cost of a continued trade freeze.

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