Afghans still see Pakistan trade route as most viable despite festering tensions

Afghans still see Pakistan trade route as most viable despite festering tensions
Pakistani and Afgan delegates meet for bilateral trade talks in Kabul on March 26, 2024. (Afghan Ministry of Industry and Commerce)
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Updated 27 March 2024
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Afghans still see Pakistan trade route as most viable despite festering tensions

Afghans still see Pakistan trade route as most viable despite festering tensions
  • Afghanistan-Pakistan bilateral trade amounted to $1.8bn in 2022-2023
  • Afghanistan began to set sights on Iran’s Chabahar as alternative to Pakistani ports

KABUL/PESHAWAR: Afghans say access to international markets through Pakistan is still the most viable option for their landlocked country, as bilateral trade talks took place in Kabul this week to resolve obstructions amid heightened border tensions.

The neighboring countries have traded blame in recent months over who was responsible for a recent spate of militant attacks in Pakistan. Islamabad said the attacks were launched mostly from safe havens in Afghanistan. But Kabul’s ruling Taliban denied that and blamed Islamabad for not being able to handle its own security challenges.

Tensions have also worsened as Islamabad began expelling more than 1 million undocumented foreigners, mostly Afghans, from Nov. 1 last year, amid the row over accusations that Kabul harbored Pakistani militants.

The situation has also led to economic losses, as key border crossings for trade and travel have been intermittently closed.

Pakistan’s delegation led by Commerce Secretary Khurram Agha arrived in Kabul on Monday for negotiations with the Taliban administration.

“God willing, the talks will lead to better results to encourage bilateral trade and businesses,” Akhundzada Abdul Salam Jawad, an Afghan commerce ministry spokesperson, told Arab News on Wednesday, adding that concrete details would come out after the conclusion of the talks.

The Afghan government has repeatedly accused Pakistan of granting access to its ports as a political leverage, curtailing efforts to revive the economy that has been reeling under international sanctions since mid-2021, when the Taliban took power.

Ziaulhaq Amarkhil, former governor of the Nangarhar province, which is linked with Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province via the Torkham crossing, said that trade route was the most feasible one for Afghans in terms of time and costs.

“But unfortunately, the route has been politicized in recent years,” he told Arab News.

“Every time Afghan traders transfer more goods, they are blocked in Karachi port ... This has caused Afghan traders tremendous loss in the form of demurrage and their goods got rotten and wasted because of the delay.”

The ongoing negotiations are taking place also as Afghanistan began to set sights on the Iranian port of Chabahar as an alternative to Pakistani ones. The Taliban announced in late February a $35 million investment in Chabahar, which next to Pakistan’s Gwadar, Qasim, and Karachi is for Afghans the closest access point to the Indian Ocean.

Amarkhil noted that the Iranian port was the only way out of the deadlock with Islamabad.

“For a permanent solution, Afghanistan should expand the investment already done in Chabahar to connect the country with international markets even though it may require more time and investment,” he said.

But that solution was not likely to be available in the near future.

Amin Stanekzai, economist and lecturer at the Rokhan Institute of Higher Education in Nangarhar, told Arab News that the Iranian port could not be an alternative.

“Chabahar can be used to reduce pressure, but its potential as a complete replacement is currently limited,” he said.

“Afghanistan is heavily reliant on South Asian countries for imports, and in terms of cost and time, Qasim, Gwadar, and Karachi ports are more viable options for Afghan traders. Chabahar, on the other hand, can be used as a substitute to reduce the pressure, but it is currently less effective as a complete replacement.”

Despite political tensions, bilateral trade ties remained vital for both the Afghan and the Pakistani economies. Trade between the two countries amounted to $1.8 billion in 2022 to 2023, according to Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce data.

“Even though trade and political relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have seen a lot of ups and downs in the last few decades, the level of trade and transit between the two countries is still on a high graph and this means that both countries can benefit from improving trade and transit relations,” Stanekzai added.

“Trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan is important because these two countries have historically been important trade and transit partners. If we look historically and socially, we know how close and dependent the economies of these two countries are.”

While there was bitterness among Afghan traders, there was hope on the ground that the situation could improve.

Haji Rohullah, an Afghan fruit and vegetable exporter, told Arab News that the Pakistan route was “the most convenient way of doing exports and imports,” but it was difficult as the neighbor’s political scene was frequently changing and affecting trade.

“When the peak fruit or vegetable season arrives in Afghanistan, Pakistan makes sure to find a reason to close the border crossing. Last year, hundreds of tons of vegetables got rotten in Torkham and Jalalabad because the door was closed without any prior notice,” he said.

“We need practical results ... We hope that the Islamic Emirate (of Afghanistan) can bring some improvements in the relations with Pakistan to support businesses and facilitate trade and transit.”


Zelensky: ‘Will not be simple’ to replace him as Ukraine leader

Zelensky: ‘Will not be simple’ to replace him as Ukraine leader
Updated 13 sec ago
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Zelensky: ‘Will not be simple’ to replace him as Ukraine leader

Zelensky: ‘Will not be simple’ to replace him as Ukraine leader
  • The US leader had previously said the proposed minerals deal would be “very fair”

LONDON: Volodymyr Zelensky told British media Sunday it would not be easy to replace him as Ukraine’s president, but repeated his offer to step down in exchange for NATO membership for his war-torn country.

US Republicans had suggested he may have to resign after US President Donald Trump dramatically turned against him during a contentious Oval Office meeting about the war with Russia on Friday.

“If they replace me, given what is going on, given the support, simply replacing me will not be simple,” Zelensky told British media.

“It’s not enough to just hold an election. You need to also not let me run. This will be a bit more difficult. Looks like you will have to negotiate with me,” he added.

“And I said that I am exchanging for NATO. Then I fulfilled my mission.”

The unprecedented public spat at the Oval Office resulted in Zelensky leaving the White House without the anticipated signing of a preliminary pact on sharing Ukrainian mineral rights.

While European leaders rallied around Ukraine, Republican officials appeared Sunday on news programs questioning whether any deal could be reached with Russia so long as Zelensky remains.

“We need a leader that can deal with us, eventually deal with the Russians, and end this war,” National Security Adviser Mike Waltz told CNN.

“And if it becomes apparent that President Zelensky’s either personal motivations or political motivations are divergent from ending the fighting in this country, then I think we have a real issue.”

Republican Mike Johnson, speaker of the House of Representatives, also questioned whether Zelensky was fit for the job.

“Either he needs to come to his senses and come back to the table in gratitude, or someone else needs to lead the country.”

Senior Democrats have angrily pushed back since the debacle Friday, saying Trump has come dangerously close to an all-out embrace of Russia.

Zelensky has been calling for Ukraine to be given NATO membership as part of any deal to end the war, but the Washington-led alliance has been reluctant to make a pledge.

Trump said in February that Ukraine can “forget about” joining NATO in any settlement, explaining: “I think that’s probably the reason the whole thing started.”

Russia cited potential Ukrainian membership in NATO as a reason for its invasion three years ago.

Zelensky also told UK media that Ukraine is ready to sign a minerals deal with the United States.

“The agreement that’s on the table will be signed if the parties are ready.”

The deal, which was supposed to be a step toward helping to end the conflict in Ukraine, fell through the public clash at the Oval Office with Trump.


Heat wave shuts down schools in nearly half Philippine capital

Heat wave shuts down schools in nearly half Philippine capital
Updated 8 min 34 sec ago
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Heat wave shuts down schools in nearly half Philippine capital

Heat wave shuts down schools in nearly half Philippine capital
  • National weather service advisory warns heat index to reach ‘danger’ levels in Manila and two other areas of the country
  • The capital region has a student population of more than 2.8 million according to education department data

MANILA: Soaring temperatures shut down schools in nearly half the Philippine capital on Monday, local officials said, as the torrid dry season started in the tropical Southeast Asian country.
A national weather service advisory warned the heat index, a measure of air temperature and relative humidity, was set to reach “danger” levels in Manila and two other areas of the country.
“Heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely” at that level, the advisory said, warning residents in affected areas to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun.
A heat wave struck large areas of the Philippines in April and May last year, leading to almost daily suspensions of in-person classes, affecting millions of students.
Manila’s temperature hit a record 38.8 Celsius (101.8F) on April 27 last year.
While temperatures were only expected to hit 33C on Monday, local governments in Manila and six other districts ordered classrooms closed as a precaution.
The capital region has a student population of more than 2.8 million according to education department data.
In Manila’s Malabon district, education department official Edgar Bonifacio said the suspensions affected more than 68,000 students across 42 schools.
“We were surprised by the heat index advisory,” Bonifacio said, adding: “We cannot feel the heat yet outside.”
However, due to protocols adopted during last year’s heat wave, the district’s school superintendent recommended suspending in-person classes.
“Our main concern is we’re near the end of the school year (in mid-April),” Bonifacio said. “This would mean a reduction of the number of school days available.”
In Valenzuela district, school official Annie Bernardo said its 69 schools had been instructed to shift to “alternative” learning models, including online classes.
Global average temperatures hit record highs in 2024 and even briefly surpassed the critical 1.5 degrees Celsius warming threshold.
In January, UN children’s agency UNICEF said extreme weather disrupted the schooling of about 242 million children in 85 countries last year, including the Philippines, with heat waves having the biggest impact.
Human activity, including the unrestricted burning of fossil fuels over decades, has warmed the planet and changed weather patterns.
That has meant wetter wet periods and dryer dry periods, intensifying heat and storms and making populations more vulnerable to disasters.


US defense chief pauses cyber offensive against Russia: reports

US defense chief pauses cyber offensive against Russia: reports
Updated 27 min 49 sec ago
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US defense chief pauses cyber offensive against Russia: reports

US defense chief pauses cyber offensive against Russia: reports
  • The order was part of an overall reevaluation of US operations against Moscow, , according to the New York Times
  • Reported change comes as US President Donald Trump has been pushing for negotiations to end the war in Ukraine

WASHINGTON: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered a pause on all of the country’s cyber operations against Russia, including offensive actions, multiple US media reports said on Sunday.
The order was part of an overall reevaluation of US operations against Moscow, according to the New York Times, with the duration or extent of the pause unclear.
The Pentagon declined to comment when queried by AFP.
“Due to operational security concerns, we do not comment nor discuss cyber intelligence, plans, or operations,” a senior defense official said.
“There is no greater priority to Secretary Hegseth than the safety of the Warfighter in all operations, to include the cyber domain.”
The reported change comes as US President Donald Trump has been pushing for negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, and days after the US leader berated his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, in a stormy White House meeting.
Western countries have accused the Kremlin of masterminding a string of incidents aimed at trying to undermine support for Ukraine as it battles Russia’s invasion.
Trump, meanwhile, has cast himself as a mediator between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky, sidelining Kyiv and Europe while pursuing rapprochement with Putin.
“We should spend less time worrying about Putin,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform late Sunday.
US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, speaking Sunday to broadcaster CNN about reopening links to Russia, denied reports of the cyber policy change.
“That has not been part of our discussions,” Waltz said. “There will be all kinds of carrots and sticks to get this war to an end.”


Drone hits apartment building in Ukraine’s Kharkiv, injures seven, mayor says

Drone hits apartment building in Ukraine’s Kharkiv, injures seven, mayor says
Updated 03 March 2025
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Drone hits apartment building in Ukraine’s Kharkiv, injures seven, mayor says

Drone hits apartment building in Ukraine’s Kharkiv, injures seven, mayor says
  • Kharkiv resisted capture in the early days of Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine and has since been a frequent target of air attacks

A Russian drone struck a multi-story apartment building late on Sunday in Ukraine’s second largest city, Kharkiv, triggering a fire and injuring eight people, the city’s mayor said.
Kharkiv resisted capture in the early days of Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine and has since been a frequent target of air attacks. A medical center was damaged in one of several drone strikes in the city on Friday.
Mayor Ihor Terekhov, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said the fire triggered by Sunday’s attack spread to several apartments on the top floor of the building.
None of the injured had required hospital treatment, he said. Three other residential buildings were damaged, with well over 100 windows smashed.
Emergency crews were working at the site, the mayor added.


Anti-DOGE protests at Tesla stores target Elon Musk’s bottom line

Anti-DOGE protests at Tesla stores target Elon Musk’s bottom line
Updated 03 March 2025
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Anti-DOGE protests at Tesla stores target Elon Musk’s bottom line

Anti-DOGE protests at Tesla stores target Elon Musk’s bottom line
  • Musk is taking direction from Trump to slash federal spending and sharply reduce the workforce

BOSTON: Demonstrators gathered outside Tesla stores across the US Saturday to protest the automaker’s billionaire CEO, Elon Musk, and his push to slash government spending on behalf of President Donald Trump.
The demonstrations are part of a growing backlash in North America and Europe to Musk’s disruptive role in Washington.
Critics of Trump and Musk hope to discourage and stigmatize purchases of Tesla, the electric car company that is the world’s most valuable automaker. Liberal groups for weeks have organized anti-Tesla protests in hopes of galvanizing opposition to Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency and energizing Democrats still demoralized by Trump’s November victory.
“We can get back at Elon,” said Nathan Phillips, a 58-year-old ecologist from Newton, Massachusetts, who was protesting in Boston on Saturday. “We can impose direct economic damage on Tesla by showing up at showrooms everywhere and boycotting Tesla and telling everyone else to get out, sell your stocks, sell your Teslas.”
Musk is taking direction from Trump to slash federal spending and sharply reduce the workforce, arguing that Trump’s victory gave the president and him a mandate to restructure the US government. DOGE officials have swiftly gained access to sensitive databases, directed thousands of federal job cuts, canceled contracts and shut down sections of the government, including the US Agency for International Development.
Musk’s critics say his actions defy Congress’s power to control the US budget and present a host of ways for him to enrich himself. Musk leads several other companies, notably SpaceX, which conducts launches for NASA and the intelligence community, and the social media platform X.
“Protests will not deter President Trump and Elon Musk from delivering on the promise to establish DOGE and make our federal government more efficient and more accountable to the hardworking American taxpayers across the country,” said White House spokesperson Harrison Fields.
Tesla did not respond to an emailed request for comment.
More than 50 demonstrations were listed Saturday on the website Tesla Takedown, with more planned later in March from coast to coast in the United States along with England, Spain and Portugal. News reports showed demonstrations in recent days in US cities including Tucson, Arizona; St. Louis; New York City; Dayton, Ohio; Charlotte; and Palo Alto, California.
Some Tesla owners have also reported their vehicles vandalized with spray painted swastikas amid what Jewish groups and observers fear is a rise in antisemitism.
Federal prosecutors charged a woman in connection with a string of vandalism against a Colorado Tesla dealership, which included Molotov cocktails being thrown at vehicles and the words “Nazi cars” spray painted on the building.
Saturday’s demonstration in Boston had a festive atmosphere, with a brass band playing music as protesters carried signs and chanted. Several of the signs mocked Musk and DOGE, with one reading: “Stop Elon and his despicable Muskrats.”
“This government led by Trump and Musk, it’s gone completely off the rails and we are here to stop that,” said Carina Campobasso, a retired federal worker. “And I hope they listen.”
About 300 demonstrators protested at a Tesla dealership in New York City on Saturday. Police said nine people were taken into custody but did not elaborate on the charges they faced.
Tesla’s share price has fallen by nearly a third since Trump took office, though it’s still higher than it was a year ago. Musk’s current net worth is an estimated $359 billion, according to Forbes, which calculated his 2024 net worth as $195 billion.