Pakistan-Afghanistan border closures cost Punjab Rs80B monthly, halting trade and harming key industries.

Border closures between Pakistan's Balochistan province and Afghanistan, triggered by October tensions, have halted bilateral trade, costing Punjab over Rs80 billion monthly and crippling industries like cement, agriculture, and food exports. Thousands of traders remain stranded, with perishable goods rotting at border points and essential exports like medicines and construction materials blocked. The transport sector faces severe hardship, and experts warn the shutdown worsens inflation and undermines investor confidence. Business leaders criticize the federal government for failing to provide relief or emergency measures, calling the inaction a sign of policy paralysis. They urge immediate diplomatic efforts to reopen crossings, stressing their importance as a gateway to Central Asian markets.