Balochistan, Jan. 3 -- Closures of border crossings between Balochistan and Afghanistan have triggered a deepening economic crisis, with Punjab alone reportedly losing more than Rs80 billion every month due to stalled trade. Business leaders warn that Pakistan's failure to ensure stable cross-border commerce is compounding inflationary pressures and eroding already fragile investor confidence, as reported by The Balochistan Post.

According to The Balochistan Post, the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the shutdown of key trade routes following border tensions last October has effectively paralysed bilateral trade. Industries dependent on the Afghan market, particularly those in the cement, agricultural chemicals, and food exports ...