Taliban Commerce Minister: Transit Route via Pakistan Is “Fundamental Right” Amid Trade Halt

DID Press: Taliban’s Minister of Industry and Commerce says the suspension of trade with Pakistan is temporary and insists that the country’s transit routes will soon reopen, stressing that access through Pakistan remains a fundamental national right.

According to Nooruddin Azizi, the restrictions in trade with Pakistan are temporary in nature and are expected to be lifted soon. He emphasized that Afghanistan’s transit corridors remain open and functioning, and described current disruptions as short-term and reversible.

Following more than seven months of halted trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the minister stated that the situation is not structural and that Pakistan will eventually recognize the importance of restoring cross-border commercial flow.

Azizi said: “We conduct trade with all countries, and Afghanistan’s transit routes are open. The problems we have with Pakistan are, in my view, temporary, and this country will soon realize the importance of reopening the route.”

He further stressed that Afghanistan is not facing major trade barriers unless certain countries adopt selective or politically driven approaches toward Kabul.

Meanwhile, the Afghanistan Chamber of Agriculture and Livestock warned that continued restrictions in trade with Pakistan could negatively affect the country’s agricultural sector. The chamber stressed that reopening the route is essential for agricultural exports and for meeting domestic supply needs.