Islamabad: The Pakistan Army struck key Afghan Taliban bases in Kandahar province with precise air and ground attacks. Dozens of militants were killed.
Pakistan has stopped all cargo shipments under the Afghan Transit Trade (ATT) from Karachi ports. This is due to rising tensions and clashes with the Afghan Taliban. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) ordered the halt of all Afghan-bound cargo. Port terminals are now unloading containers that were already loaded onto trucks, freezing cross-border goods movement.
This decision was made at a meeting at the Directorate of Transit Trade Headquarters in Karachi, led by the Director General of Afghan Transit Trade.
Officials said this move follows increased hostilities between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Recent cross-border attacks by the Taliban and India-backed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants escalated tensions.
Read: Pakistan Army Conducts Precision Strikes on Afghan Taliban Bases in Kandahar
Violence began last week when Pakistani forces defended themselves against an unprovoked attack from across the border. Pakistan responded with airstrikes, fires, and raids on Taliban camps and terrorist training sites inside Afghanistan. Over 200 militants were confirmed killed.
Fighting resumed earlier this week, triggering more strikes in Kandahar. Both sides agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire on Wednesday at the Afghan Taliban’s request.
Diplomatic tensions between Islamabad and Kabul are growing. Pakistani officials blame the Taliban government for not stopping terrorist groups from launching attacks from Afghanistan. The suspension of Afghan Transit Trade shows Islamabad’s frustration with Kabul’s lack of cooperation.
Under the new Customs General Order, all Afghan Transit Trade operations are suspended indefinitely. Customs stations in Quetta and Peshawar have reached full capacity and cannot take more containers. All port terminals, including Karachi Port and Port Qasim, must unload Afghan-bound containers, cancel Afghan transit gate passes, and stop further transport and clearance activities
