Archive · 21 Jan 2026
Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions rise over trade and medicine ban
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that Afghanistan should decide if it wants to live in peace.
He talked about how trade between the two countries has stopped because of problems like terrorism.
He mentioned that over 4 million Afghan refugees live in Pakistan, but the Afghan government is not being friendly.
Afghanistan has also banned the sale of Pakistani medicines after February 9, saying traders should finish their business before then.
The Afghan government says Pakistan has not cooperated and has closed trade routes many times.
Both countries have had fights at their border and have not been able to agree on how to stop the fighting.
Pakistan blames the Afghan government for not controlling terrorists, while Afghanistan says Pakistan has attacked their territory.
Both countries are having a hard time because of these problems.
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif urged Afghanistan to choose peace and address terrorism concerns.
Afghanistan banned the sale of Pakistani medicines after February 9, urging traders to complete transactions before the deadline.
Trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan is suspended due to border clashes and terrorism concerns.
Over 4 million Afghan refugees live in Pakistan, but the Afghan government has not reciprocated hospitality.
Both countries have failed to reach a consensus on trade and border issues, leading to severe market fluctuations and price hikes.
- Who
- Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Afghan government
- What
- A call for Afghanistan to choose peace and address terrorism concerns, and a ban on Pakistani medicines in Afghanistan
- When
- January 20, 2024 (Pakistan's call) and February 9, 2024 (medicine ban deadline)
- Where
- Pakistan and Afghanistan, with talks held in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey
- Why
- To address strained ties, suspension of trade due to border clashes, and terrorism concerns
Afghanistan
Pakistan
Trade and Medicine Ban
Afghanistan
Afghanistan has banned the sale of Pakistani medicines after February 9, urging traders to complete transactions before the deadline, citing lack of cooperation from Pakistan.
Pakistan
Pakistan has suspended trade with Afghanistan due to border clashes and terrorism concerns, blaming the Afghan government for not controlling terrorists.
Border Clashes and Terrorism
Afghanistan
Afghanistan claims that Pakistani forces carried out air raids into Afghan territory, leading to retaliatory offensives.
Pakistan
Pakistan attributes the resurgence of terrorism to policies of the previous government and blames the Afghan government for not adhering to agreements to control terrorists.
Trade Route Dependence
Afghanistan
Afghanistan encourages exploring alternative trade routes instead of relying on Pakistan, alleging that Islamabad has politicized commercial matters.
Pakistan
Pakistan urges Afghanistan to choose peace and address terrorism concerns, highlighting the suspension of trade due to border clashes.
- Prime Minister
- Shehbaz Sharif
- Event
- National workshop
- Date
- January 20, 2024
- Trade Status
- Suspended
- Afghan Refugees in Pakistan
- Over 4 million
- Border Closure Reason
- Deadly clashes in October 2023
- Terrorist Groups Mentioned
- TTP, BLA
- Medicine Ban Deadline
- February 9, 2024
- Trade Route Closure
- Since late 2023
- Border Length
- 2,600 km
