Amu | 24 July 2025
Taliban and Pakistan sign trade agreement to lower tariffs on key agricultural goods
by Siyar Sirat
Taliban and Pakistani officials signed a preferential trade agreement on Wednesday aimed at reducing customs tariffs on selected export goods, in a move both sides say is designed to facilitate bilateral trade and strengthen regional economic ties.
According to the Taliban’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the agreement was signed in Islamabad by Ahmadullah Zahid, deputy minister for the Taliban-run commerce ministry, and Javed Paul, Pakistan’s deputy commerce minister.
The agreement is set to take effect on August 1, 2025, and will remain valid for one year, with the option for renewal upon mutual agreement.
At the core of the deal is a tariff reduction on eight agricultural products. Tariffs will be lowered from more than 60 percent to 27 percent on these items. Four are from Afghanistan — grapes, pomegranates, apples, and tomatoes — and four from Pakistan — mangoes, kinnow oranges, bananas, and plums.
Officials from both sides expressed hope that the lowered tariffs would help boost regional markets, support local farmers and producers, and expand economic cooperation between the two countries.
The agreement also leaves the door open for the inclusion of additional goods under the preferential tariff regime in the future.
