Pakistani Politician Warns of Expanding Afghanistan-Iran Trade

DID Press: Pakistani politician and analyst Afrasiab Khattak has warned that the expansion of trade between Afghanistan and Iran could lead to changes in Afghanistan’s trade routes and reduce Pakistan’s role in the country’s commercial exchanges.

Khattak was responding to remarks by Alireza Bikdeli, Iran’s acting ambassador to Afghanistan, about expanding trade between Afghanistan and Iran, and appeared to express concern over a potential shift in Afghanistan’s trade routes.

Bikdeli told TOLOnews that annual trade between Afghanistan and Iran had reached about $4 billion, with Tehran and Kabul seeking to increase the figure to $10 billion.

Responding to the remarks, Khattak referred to the expanding economic ties between Kabul and Tehran, writing: “International trade is like a river; if you block its course from one side, it will find its way from another.”

Khattak’s comments come as Afghanistan has increasingly sought alternative trade routes in recent years to reduce its dependence on routes through Pakistan, with greater attention being given to Iran and Central Asia. Recent reports have highlighted Afghanistan’s growing use of alternative corridors, including Iran’s Chabahar Port.

Observers say increased trade between Afghanistan and Iran could strengthen Iran’s ports and transit routes in Afghanistan’s trade network while potentially affecting Pakistan’s role in the country’s commercial exchanges.