Afghanistan has announced that medicines imported from Pakistan will no longer be sold after February 9, urging traders to complete transactions before the deadline. The Ministry of Finance in Kabul stated that this decision, made on November 13, 2025, will soon take effect, prohibiting the processing of Pakistani medicines through customs. With trade routes between Afghanistan and Pakistan closed since last year, both countries are facing market disruptions and price surges.
The closure of these trade routes has led to severe fluctuations in markets on both sides, impacting the availability and prices of essential goods. The ongoing tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have hindered efforts to reach a consensus on trade modalities and ceasefire agreements. The Durand Line, a contentious border drawn during British rule, has been a focal point of disputes and skirmishes between the two nations.
Afghanistan heavily relies on trade through border gates with Pakistan for access to ports like Karachi and Gwadar. The recent decision to halt the sale of Pakistani medicines is expected to heighten tensions between Kabul and Islamabad. Despite multiple rounds of negotiations in various countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, efforts to establish peace and cooperation have not yielded concrete results.
Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, has advised traders to seek alternative trade routes to reduce dependence on Pakistan. He criticized Islamabad for politicizing trade matters and causing losses to businesses in both countries. The Afghan government’s decision to stop the sale of medicines from Pakistan is a response to these challenges and the lack of cooperation in bilateral relations.
