Karachi: The Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PAJCCI) has once again urged the Ministry of Commerce, FBR, Customs, and all relevant authorities to take immediate action as the Pakistan–Afghanistan border trade crisis worsens. PAJCCI President Mr. Junaid Makda expressed deep concern over the rapidly deteriorating situation affecting Pakistani transporters, traders, kinnow exporters, and logistics operators.
Mr. Makda highlighted that our earlier apprehensions remain unresolved, and with no concrete relief measures in place, the situation is worsening with each passing day the alarming condition of Pakistani truck drivers stranded inside Afghanistan, many of whom have been stuck for several weeks. Reports indicate that transporters and their vehicles have come under fire and faced violent attacks, creating grave safety risks for the drivers. Many are now enduring severe food shortages, no cash in hand, deteriorating living conditions, and a complete lack of basic support, as all their resources have been depleted. A similar humanitarian crisis persists on the Pakistani side, where hundreds of drivers remain immobilized at border points without food, shelter, or essential assistance.
In addition, PAJCCI drew attention to the emerging crisis in kinnow exports, especially after the recent meeting convened by the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) to deliberate on regional trade bottlenecks, which was followed by the State Bank of Pakistan’s communication vide letter No. EPD/Imports&TBML/MOC/Iran&CIS/1043424/2025 dated November 19, 2025, declining the request to exempt the Financial Instrument (FI) requirement for exports to Iran and CIS countries via the Iran land route. With SBP refusing this facilitation and with OFAC restrictions already blocking settlement channels kinnow exporters are now left without any workable payment mechanism, placing the entire season at risk. Last year Kinnow exports reached $110 Million dollars and this year they are projected at $100 Million Dollar; however, Exporters are unable to ship kinnow consignments to their traditional regional markets, and many contracts are now in jeopardy, putting growers, exporters, and supply-chain workers in trouble amid peak export season.
Mr. Makda highlighted that thousands of containers carrying bilateral, transit, and Central Asian Republics (CARs) cargo remain stranded across Pakistan, including consignments destined for Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and other regional economies. The prolonged blockade has resulted in severe financial losses for traders, transporters /carrier operators and clearing agents, who are now compelled to bear daily port demurrage and shipping line detention charges of USD 150–200 per container, despite having no control over the delays. PAJCCI emphasized that the prevailing circumstances clearly constitute a force majeure situation, as these disruptions are extraordinary, unavoidable, and beyond the control of all stakeholders. In view of this, PAJCCI has urged the authorities to grant an immediate and comprehensive waiver of all demurrage and detention charges to prevent further financial strain on the already distressed trade community.
PAJCCI emphasized that the overall crisis has now moved far beyond commercial disruption and has escalated into a humanitarian, financial, and logistical emergency, severely affecting vulnerable workers, traders, and their families.
PAJCCI reiterated that while national security remains paramount, the situation now demands swift, compassionate, and solution-oriented intervention, as thousands of workers, families, exporters, and businesses continue to suffer under circumstances beyond their control.