Bilateral Trade

Commercial Wing of this Embassy is entrusted to promote and facilitae Pakistan's bilateral trade with Afghanistan.

1. To enhance Pakistan’s reputation as a reliable trading partner.
2. To develop favorable commercial relations between trading
   enterprises in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
3. To ensure that relevant Governmental bodies, commercial organizations and the Pakistani export community have up to date knowledge of trading conditions and export prospects and opportunities in Afghanistan.

Trade Officer will not only contribute to economic and trade related objectives, but also assist in strengthening of Pakistan's bilateral relations with Afghanistan.

Overview of bilateral trade between Afghanistan & Pakistan

Trade in Goods

• Pakistan and Afghanistan have robust trade and economic ties
• Torkham, Chaman, Ghulam Khan, Kharlachy, Badini and Angor Ada serve as major border crossing points for Pak-Afghan bilateral trade
• The trade data of the last five years is below:

(Value in Million US$)

Years	Exports	Imports	Total	Balance
2020-21	1018.53	577.49	1596.02	441.04
2021-22	867.12	801.09	1,668.21	66.03
2022-23	953.99	892.84	1846.83	61.15
2023-24	1,064.84	538.60	1603.44	526.24
2024-25	1341.97	37.85	1379.83	1304.11

Source: FBR/SBP

Major Exports in 2024-25

Rice, Fruits & Vegetables, Pharmaceutical products, Food preparations, Cement, Wood and articles, Plastics and articles thereof, Motorcycles, Tractors, Sugar confectionery, preparations, Rubber and articles thereof,

Major Imports in 2024-25

Onions, Tomatoes, Seeds, Grapes, Dried apricots, Oilcake, Coal, Cotton, Lentils, Cucumbers, Apples, Unwrought lead,

Trade in Services

(US$ Mln)

Years	Exports	Imports	Total	Balance
2020-21	12.9	12.2	25.1	0.7
2021-22	4.47	12.9	17.4	-8.43
2022-23	2.67	1.39	4.06	1.28
2023-24	0.55	1.76	2.31	-1.21
2024-25	8.21	2.50	10.71	5.71

Source: SBP

Major Export services in 2024-25

Business services, telecommunication services and government services, Maintenance and repair services, transport and travel services.

Major import Services in 2024-25

Government Goods and services, Transport services, Telecommunication Services and business services.

Pakistan Afghanistan Transit Trade

• Pakistan is the single largest transit trade and connectivity partner of Afghanistan
• Afghan border crossing points at Hairathan, Sher Khan Bandar, Turghundai and Akina serve as gateway to Central Asian Republics for Pakistan
• Pakistani ports of Karachi, Bin Qasim and Gawadar provides shortest and cost-effective access to Afghanistan transit trade and trade of CARs with rest of the world
• Wagha, Lahore and Sust, Gilgit Baltistan cater to Afghan exports to India and transit trade with China via land routes respectively
• Torkham, Chaman and Ghulam Khan serve as major border crossing points for Pak-Afghan transit trade

Pak-Afghan Transit Traffic

Years	Assessed Value in Million	TEU
2020-21	4,407	116,997
2021-22	4,016	101,701
2022-23	6,701	153,480
2023-24	2,399	73,974
2024-25	5,439	137,868

 

Prospects & Way forward

• Important bilateral trade and economic engagements platforms includes Afghanistan Pakistan Transit Trade Coordination Authority (APTTCA), Afghanistan Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APPAPS) and Pakistan Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI)
• APTTA 2010 was been extended till 11 May 2022, Technical Committees are engaged to negotiate the Revision of APTTA
• Pakistan has started issuing upto 5 years multiple entries business/investment visa to Afghan traders, businessmen and investors upon completion of the required formalities.
• TAD based free movement of trucks has been agreed w.e.f. 21-03-2022.
• Pakistan and Afghanistan signed an Early Harvest Program (EHP) in July 2025 leading towards Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).
• Proposal of Barter Trade agreement is under consideration.

Strategic Trade Policy Framework (STPF) 2020-25

Ministry of Commerce has prepared the Strategic Trade Policy Framework (STPF) 2020-25 that aims to enhance export competitiveness of Pakistan through a framework of interventions having an impact across the value chains.

• Strategic Trade Policy Framework (STPF) 2020-25