Afghanistan shifts trade toward Iran and Central Asia amid Pakistan tensions

Afghan officials say the country is increasing use of trade routes through Iran and Central Asia to reduce dependence on Pakistan, as tensions between the neighbours have risen and Durand Line crossings have been closed in recent weeks, Reuters reported.

“In the past six months, our trade with Iran has reached $1.6 billion, higher than the $1.1 billion exchanged with Pakistan,” Abdul Salam Jawad Akhundzada, a spokesman for the commerce ministry, told Reuters. He said improvements at the Chabahar port have reduced delays and “given traders confidence that shipments will not stop when borders close.”

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Afghanistan’s deputy prime minister for economic affairs, said traders have three months to settle contracts in Pakistan and shift to other routes. He accused Islamabad of using “commercial and humanitarian matters as political leverage,” said Afghanistan would not mediate disputes after the deadline and ordered ministries to stop clearing Pakistani medicines, citing “low-quality” imports.

Officials identified Chabahar as the main alternative. The port has been used by Afghanistan since 2017 under a transit pact with Iran and India. Afghan officials say incentives such as tariff cuts, discounted storage and faster handling are drawing more cargo south.

Abdul Salam Jawad Akhundzada said Iran has installed updated equipment and X-ray scanners at Chabahar and is offering Afghan cargo a 30% cut in port tariffs, 75% off storage fees and 55% off docking charges.

The reporting attributes these statements and figures to Afghan government spokespeople and to Reuters; the article does not cite independent confirmation from Pakistani or Iranian officials or third-party trade data.