August 13, 2021
2 mins read

Pak ‘smugglers markets’ on brink of collapse as troops withdraw

With the border closed and foreign forces withdrawal from Afghanistan, the market shop owners are worried about inflow of goods, which they say has badly affected businesses….reports Hamza Ameer

Once brimming with combat boots, flak jackets and other war paraphernalia, the ‘smugglers markets’ in Pakistan are being forced to rethink their business model as foreign troops exit Afghanistan and contraband dries up.

The US is set to wrap up its military presence in Afghanistan by the end of this month, the end of a campaign that saw hundreds of billions spent, often with little accounting.

Along the Afghan border after 2001, the markets mushroomed in Pakistan, offering military gadgets, clothing and luxury goods meant for American bases and compounds.

A massive market called “Karkhano”, located in Peshawar, has been known to sell smuggled and looted goods of Americans and NATO forces. However, with the border closed and foreign forces withdrawal from Afghanistan, the market shop owners are worried about inflow of goods, which they say has badly affected businesses.

Pak smugglers markets forced to rethink business model due to troops withdrawal

The Karkhano market, for decades has been famous for having NATO supply goods on sale with them. From night vision goggles, to watches, shoes and other things, the market has anything and everything that has been part of the supplies for the American and NATO forces in Afghanistan.

Pakistan’s fencing and sealing of hundreds of kilometres of the border in recent years, and the rapid departure of foreign troops have led to dwindling supplies.

Instead of night-vision goggles and high-quality ammo vests, the markets are now stuffed with cheap goods from China and Southeast Asia.

Pak smugglers markets forced to rethink business model due to troops withdrawal

“This market used to be filled with customers as many people had interest buying quality products of NATO. But now its empty. This is because supplies from across the border have dried, due to the border fencing and closure of the main border gates,” said Jamal Khan, a shop owner in the Karkhano market.

“Its not only because our supplies from Afghanistan have dried out that the customers are not coming. Its also because this market’s identity and reason for being so famous was the availability of many things under use of the NATO forces. Now we keep Chinese products with us. And nobody would come to this market to buy them, when they can buy from any other market,” said Abdullah Jan, another shopkeeper.

For at least two decades, this market has been the spotlight of smuggled NATO goods. Businesses of shopkeepers have boomed, as no other such market exists in the country.

However, with the foreign forces withdrawing from Afghanistan, and Pakistan fencing its border; shopkeepers of the market are worried and are forced to rethink and re-arrange their businesses.

ALSO READ: SPECIAL: Pakistan Fuel Taliban Surge in Key Cities

ALSO READ: Pakistan Blames Pashtuns, India, Israel for its ‘image problem’

Previous Story

Indian students coming to France can apply for health passes: Embassy

Next Story

Doha meet stresses on rejection of govt by force

Latest from -Top News

India, Qatar Strengthen Trade Ties

Goyal expressed optimism about the growing economic engagement between the two countries, stating, “Glad to meet Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Sayed….reports Asian Lite News Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal met

Keir Starmer Lands in Mumbai for First India Visit

The visit, described by No.10 Downing Street as a “two-day trade mission to Mumbai,” is focused on strengthening trade ties…reports Asian Lite News United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Mumbai

Diaspora Leaders Urge Pragmatic India-US Ties

Keshap spoke about the recent H-1B visa crackdown from the Trump administration, calling it a decision “driven by domestic politics.”…reports Asian Lite News Prominent Indian American leaders have called for deeper India-US

Sergio Gor Named US Ambassador to India

Trump had announced that Gor would also serve as a special envoy for South and Central Asian affairs….reports Asian Lite News Sergio Gor, nominated by former President Donald Trump as the next

WUC Intensifies Global Call for Uyghur Justice

WUC delegation undertook a week-long advocacy tour in Germany, where it met with Turkish NGOs and community leaders….reports Asian Lite News The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) has published its monthly brief, strengthening
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Amnesty urges Pakistan to stop arresting Afghan Refugees

Many Afghans have fled to Pakistan for fear of persecution

Taliban’s gender apartheid in Afghanistan

The Taliban has dramatically rolled back women’s rights in recent