Kabul: In a move that could reshape regional trade dynamics, the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan has imposed a complete ban on the import of medicines from neighbouring Pakistan.
The directive, issued by the Taliban Finance Ministry, urges Afghan traders to explore pharmaceutical supplies from other nations, signalling a shift towards self-reliance and quality control.
The ban comes amid growing concerns over substandard drugs flooding the Afghan market. Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar had instructed the ministry on November 12, 2025, to halt such imports within three months, exempting them from customs duties to ease the transition. Officials warn of stringent action against smugglers, including seizure and destruction of contraband, alongside blocking illicit routes.
The Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment welcomes the decision, anticipating a boost to local manufacturing. “This will pave the way for superior alternatives and curb low-quality influx,” a chamber spokesperson noted. The Public Health Ministry affirms that domestic production sufficiently meets national demands.
Hikmatullah, managing director of a Kabul-based pharmacy firm, told local media, “Many Afghan-made medicines surpass their Pakistani counterparts in quality. Yet, some consumers still seek imported packs, unaware of our homegrown excellence.”
Analysts view the move as a setback for Pakistan, which has long supplied affordable drugs to Afghanistan, potentially opening doors for countries like India to fill the void. With tensions simmering between Kabul and Islamabad, the ban underscores Afghanistan’s push for economic independence under Taliban rule.