The price of pine nuts in South Waziristan has plunged sharply this season, falling from last year’s PKR 10,000 per kilogram to barely PKR 3,000.

The drop has thrown thousands of households into financial turmoil. Traders say the steep decline has undermined the region’s most valuable dry-fruit economy, as reported by Dawn.

According to Dawn, commission agent Imran Wazir stated that the unexpected market crash stems from three major causes: an exceptionally large harvest, weakening international demand, and persistent harassment of pine-nut traders by customs and police in major Punjab cities.

He said that the abundant crop, instead of benefiting farmers, ended up flooding the market and pushing prices downward at an alarming pace. “Growers had invested heavily, hoping for a profitable

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