The suspension of trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan has completely halted pharmaceutical exports worth nearly $200 million, leaving critical drug supplies stranded at border crossings and triggering alarm across Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector.
Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) Chairman Tahir Azam said dozens of containers carrying medicines worth billions of rupees are stuck at Torkham and Chaman following the recent closure of trade routes. He cautioned that delays could cause temperature-sensitive medicines to expire, resulting in heavy financial losses.
“One company alone has medicines worth Rs850 million stuck at both border points,” he said, adding that more than 50 Pakistani pharmaceutical manufacturers are facing similar disruptions.
“These consignments are destined for Afghan hospitals and patients. Many require strict storage conditions. If they do not move soon, they will become unusable.”
Azam said the PPMA has written to Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal, and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), urging immediate permission for the release of medicine consignments on humanitarian grounds.
Tauqeer-ul-Haq, former PPMA chairman, said pharmaceutical exports to Afghanistan—valued at around $200 million annually—are now at a “complete standstill.” He noted that because these exports are conducted in Pakistani rupees, they do not reflect in customs databases, masking the true scale of the disruption.
“Around 35% of our total pharmaceutical exports go to Afghanistan. This suspension is a huge setback,” he told The News. “We worked for years to build our brands and networks there. India is now ready to take over our market.”
He warned that prolonged restrictions would open the door for Indian, Iranian and Turkish companies to capture the space vacated by Pakistani exporters. “Our companies invested heavily in Afghanistan. Our exit will only benefit others,” he said, stressing that medicine trade should not be entangled in political tensions.
“Pharmaceutical exports are not like other commodities—they save lives. The supply of essential medicines through Torkham must continue for humanitarian reasons,” Tauqeer said.
