ISLAMABAD: Cross-border trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan remained suspended on Tuesday, days after fierce clashes erupted along multiple frontier points, plunging bilateral ties to one of their lowest points in years.
In the recent border clashes, Pakistani forces killed more than 200 Afghan Taliban fighters and affiliated militants in a self-defence operation following an unprovoked overnight attack launched by Taliban forces and India-backed terrorist elements.
Hundreds of trucks and containers carrying imports, exports, and transit goods remain stranded on both sides of the border. “Loaded vehicles, including containers and trucks, are stuck on both sides. They’re carrying fresh fruit, vegetables, and other trade goods — losses now run into millions of rupees,” said Ziaul Haq Sarhadi, senior vice president of the Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Pakistan’s border forces continue to remain on high alert after deadly exchanges over the weekend, triggered by what officials described as an Afghan cross-border attack on Pakistani security positions.
The clashes — among the most serious in recent years — followed a Pakistani counter-operation targeting militant hideouts reportedly used by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and affiliated groups operating from across the Afghan frontier.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has criticised the Taliban-led Interim Afghan Government’s mixed approach of issuing threats and, on the other hand, calling for talks.
Islamabad Blames Kabul for Harboring Militants
Speaking on Geo News, Khawaja Asif said relations between Islamabad and Kabul have broken down completely. “As of today, there are no ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan,” he said. “It’s a stalemate, you can say there are no active hostilities, but the environment is hostile.”
Asif warned that renewed fighting could erupt “at any time.” He accused the Afghan Taliban government of turning a blind eye to militants using its soil to launch attacks inside Pakistan. “If Afghanistan wants negotiations while threatening Pakistan at the same time, then they should act on their threats — and we’ll negotiate afterwards,” he added.
The minister said Pakistan reserves the right to respond to any aggression. “If you are attacked, you instantly have the right to react and target wherever the attack is originating from,” he said.
Security officials said 200 Taliban and affiliated militants were killed in retaliatory strikes along the border. The Pakistan Army said its forces used artillery and precision airstrikes to neutralize multiple militant positions inside Afghan territory.
The weekend violence has pushed relations between the two neighbors to a dangerous edge, with Islamabad insisting that Kabul rein in anti-Pakistan groups — or face the consequences of continued cross-border aggression.
