Pakistan has announced the indefinite suspension of all border crossings and trade with Afghanistan, citing security concerns. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andarbi confirmed the decision during a briefing in Islamabad on Friday, stating that the suspension would remain in place until a full security assessment is completed and further instructions are issued. “The lives of Pakistanis are more valuable than trade,” he said.
For years, Pakistan has accused Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government of providing support to the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a charge Kabul has consistently denied.
Tensions between the two neighbors escalated sharply this month. On October 9, the Afghan Air Force carried out strikes in Kabul that killed several senior TTP leaders, including chief Noor Wali Mehsud and deputy Qari Saifullah Mehsud. Viewing the attack as a violation of sovereignty, Afghan forces retaliated on October 11 with assaults on Pakistani border posts.
Pakistan responded with heavy military action, deploying tanks, artillery, drones and helicopters in clashes that lasted four days. More than 200 Afghan soldiers and 23 Pakistani troops were reported killed.
Both sides agreed to a temporary ceasefire on October 15, initially for 48 hours. Talks in Doha on October 17 extended the truce, but the fragile calm has not eased Pakistan’s security concerns.
Islamabad has now opted to keep all trade and border crossings with Afghanistan closed indefinitely. Analysts warn the move could have significant consequences for both economies and disrupt regional trade flows.
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