After Months Of Tension, Pakistan And Afghanistan Move To Reopen Trade Borders

After around two months of clash and conflict, Pakistan and Afghanistan have taken a tentative step towards easing months of strained relations by agreeing to form a 13-member joint committee of business leaders to negotiate the reopening of key border crossings for trade.

The borders have remained closed since October last year, following armed clashes and heightened tensions between the two neighbours over Pakistan’s allegations of militancy operating from Afghan territory, charges that were repeatedly denied by Kabul. The clash started after Pakistan launched airstrikes on Kabul in early October.

Islamabad’s action against Afghanistan came at a time when Taliban’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi was on a six-day visit to India. The standoff escalated, eventually disrupting cross-border movement, stalled trade routes, and deepened mistrust between the two sides.

What is the new joint committee and who will lead it?

According to The Express Tribune, the joint committee will comprise six members from Pakistan and seven from Afghanistan, reflecting an attempt at balanced representation. The Pakistani delegation will be led by Syed Jawad Hussain Kazmi, Adviser to the President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI).

The Afghan side will be headed by Mohammad Wali Amini of the Ghazni Chamber of Commerce. The committee has been authorised to hold formal negotiations aimed at breaking the deadlock over border trade.

What are the immediate goals of the talks?

Speaking to the media, Kazmi said the primary objective is the immediate reopening of Pak-Afghan trade routes, alongside removing bottlenecks in border management, ensuring uninterrupted bilateral trade, developing a practical roadmap to prevent recurring closures.

He expressed confidence that the talks would deliver results, noting that the Pakistani government has granted the committee full decision-making authority.

Who are the members representing Pakistan and Afghanistan?

The Pakistani delegation includes senior figures from major border trade hubs such as Quetta, Khyber and Waziristan Chambers of Commerce; former FPCCI leadership. The Afghan delegation draws members from key commercial centres including Ghazni, Nangarhar, Herat, Kandahar, Kabul and Khost.

The broad representation reflects the widespread economic impact of the prolonged border shutdown.

All trade crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan, including the crucial Torkham border, have remained closed for months, resulting in heavy financial losses for traders, transporters and local economies on both sides. Business communities in both countries have repeatedly warned that prolonged closures risk pushing informal trade and smuggling.

Is this a sign of broader de-escalation?

While the formation of the joint committee signals a pragmatic shift towards dialogue, cautain persists that deeper political and security disputes, particularly over militancy and border management, remain unresolved. However, business leaders have welcomed the move.

They expressed hope that the talks will lead to the reopening of Torkham and other key crossings, restoring trade links that serve as a vital economic lifeline for both countries.