KABUL: After the Taliban administration banned imports a shortage of medicines has become a major problem for Afghanistan.
Abdul Ghani Baradar, one of the Deputy Leaders of the Taliban and the head of the office, was very clear when he spoke of a complete halt of Pakistani medicine imports. He described the quality of pharmaceuticals as “inferior” and directed Afghan importers to clear their pending dues, with Pakistani firms within three months while looking for other medicine suppliers.
Noorullah Noori, Director General for Administrative Affairs under the Taliban mentioned that more than 70% of the medicines utilized in Afghanistan are sourced from Pakistan but commerce has been interrupted because of two months of border disputes and confrontations along the extensive boundary.
Lina Haidari, an activist based in Herat stated that medicine shortages are worsening costs are going up and there is a growing presence of poor-quality expired or fake medicines, in local markets.
In reaction the Taliban are seeking supplies from nations. German news outlets report that Afghan and Indian firms recently agreed on a $100 million contract for medicine shipments, in the presence of Taliban officials.
Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed sending 73 tons of life-saving drugs, vaccines, and medical supplies to Kabul. However, this shipment, equivalent to 3–4 trucks, is largely symbolic for a country of over 40 million people.
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Pakistan opens Torkham and Chaman borders to allow UN aid into Afghanistan
Six units of United Nations aid shipments have arrived at the Torkham and Jamrud for distribution to Afghanistan. Once approved by officials, these containers will be handled accordingly. Customs officials report that two of the shipments are located at the Torkham gate and four are situated at the Jamrud gate. The shipments include medicines and medical supplies.
The aid shipments form a component of Pakistan’s initiatives aimed at supporting Afghanistan amid a lengthy scarcity of food and medical supplies exacerbated by the shutdown of trade channels between Pakistan and Afghanistan over the last 50 days.
Pakistan has chosen to reopen the Torkham and Chaman border crossings to enable the United Nations organizations to assist Afghanistan. This choice comes after discussions with Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs driven by the lack of food and medical supplies, in Afghanistan.
The Ministry of Commerce has addressed the Director-General of Afghan Transit Trade and the Member of Customs Operations at the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), notifying them about the approval to permit aid via the borders. The communication stated that the decision followed a recommendation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to open the borders for UN relief shipments to deliver supplies to the Afghan population.
According to the agreement aid shipments from UNICEF the World Food Programme and the United Nations Population Fund will be processed in stages.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told local news channel that the Pakistan-Afghanistan border has been partially opened on humanitarian grounds to allow for the delivery of UN aid. While there is no issue with the Afghan people, border trade remains closed for now.
