ISLAMABAD – Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to open Angoor Adda crossing point, however, Islamabad has linked it with the operationalisation of border terminal by National Logistics Corporation. Pakistan has informed Afghanistan that some time is needed to complete basic infrastructure for trade at Angoor Adda crossing point, and efforts be made to open the crossing point by 14th of August 2025, but if not possible, then by 31st August 2025 subject to operationalisation of border terminal by National Logistics Corporation, official source told The Nation.
The issue was raised during the recent visit of Afghanistan delegation led by Mawlawee Ahmadullah Zahid, Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce of Afghanistan. The delegation visited Islamabad from July 21-23, 2025 to discuss bilateral trade and transit issues. Angoor Adda crossing point is situated in South Waziristan, Pakistan, which is a crucial point for bilateral trade and movement between Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, for the past almost two years, Pak-Afghan trade at Angoor Adda crossing has been closed.
The Afghan delegation also raised the matter of the exports of Afghanistan through Pakistan to India. During the meeting, Afghanistan side pointed out that under Afghanistan Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) 2010, Afghanistan exports were allowed through Wahga, however, since May 2025, the consignments are not being allowed by Pakistan. APTTA is a bilateral agreement designed to facilitate the movement of Afghan goods through Pakistan and it allows for duty-free trade for Afghanistan via Pakistan’s land, sea, and air routes, and reciprocally for Pakistan through Afghan territory.
However, Pakistan side informed the Afghan delegation that after the conflict with India, Islamabad has prohibited 3rd country trade with India through its territory. Similarly, both sides agreed to nominate focal persons within 15 days who will decide the dates and venues for organising joint exhibitions in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Notably, during the visit of the delegation, Pakistan and Afghanistan reached agreement on the tax concessions of up to 35 percent on eight agriculture items under the early harvest programme and agreed to initiate negotiations for a comprehensive Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).
Initially, tariff concessions have been agreed for eight agricultural products- for one year- under the early harvest programme, however, gradually the list will be extended to 150 items. Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed that based on the performance of the early harvest programme and mutual satisfaction of both sides, Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) will be signed within one year.
Under the early harvest programme, Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to allow preferential tariff concessions on eight agricultural items by reducing the custom duty from 5 percent to 35 percent. Pakistan has agreed to reduce custom duty and additional custom duty on the import of Afghani tomatoes, grapes, apples and pomegranates from 5 per cent to 26 per cent, while Afghanistan has agreed to cut the custom duty on the import of Pakistani potatoes, kinnows, mangoes and bananas from 20 to 35 percent. Under the programme, Pakistan will eliminate custom duty and additional custom duty of 3 per cent and 2 per cent respectively on the import of tomatoes from Afghanistan. With the elimination of 5 percent custom duty and additional custom duty, tariff on tomatoes will be reduced from the existing 27 per cent to 22 per cent.
