The Afghan government has been losing around $32000 in daily custom revenue as the Taliban insurgents seized a dry port on its northern border with Tajikistan. The port fell to the insurgent group this week, forcing 134 of its employees to take refugee in Tajikistan. 

Almost all trade activities were stopped at the Sher Khan Bandar Port, a dry port in the northern province of Kunduz, where intense fighting between the government forces and the Taliban is still going on. The Taliban has stopped all trade operations, TOLOnews reported. 

Earlier, almost 200 trucks used to cross the border daily. “There is zero activity, no work is being done as fighting is going on, merchants do not risk going to the port to do business,” Shafiqullah Atai, CEO of the Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, was quoted as saying by TOLOnews. 

As fighting rages, and the conflict entering into new territories, trade activities are likely to see more disruption in the coming days, said Sayed Masoud, an Afghan economist. The Taliban, he says, is focussing on taking control of the areas having economic significance.  

Zabiullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s spokesperson, confirmed the capture of the port and added it would be made operational soon. Media reports also indicated that the insurgent group has appointed a new director to the port. 

(SAM)