Torkham Closure Costs Pakistan Economy $2.5 Billion, Chamber Says

DID Press: The prolonged closure of the Torkham border crossing with Afghanistan has caused an estimated $2.5 billion in losses to Pakistan’s economy, according to Yusuf Afridi, president of the Khyber Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Afridi said the losses included approximately $1.644 billion in exports and $817 million in imports affected by the closure. He called for the immediate reopening of the crossing, warning of further economic consequences if the shutdown continues.

He also said the closure had resulted in the loss of around 7.7 billion Pakistani rupees in provincial revenue, while disrupting the activities of thousands of traders, workers, truck drivers and customs agents.

The Torkham crossing is a major trade and transit route between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Repeated closures have disrupted the movement of commercial trucks and passengers and added pressure on businesses dependent on cross-border trade.

Afridi urged authorities to resolve the outstanding issues and reopen the border, warning that continued restrictions could inflict further losses on businesses and the wider economy.