The improvement of relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan has positive outcomes that extend beyond just these two countries; it is directly linked to the overall stability of regional politics. South Asian politics, including issues of economy and security, cannot be viewed in political isolation. One of the major challenges Pakistan faces in its internal crises is linked to terrorism or security matters. While we need to take serious actions on the domestic front to address this issue, it is also directly connected to Afghanistan and the Taliban government there.
When we examine Pakistan’s concerns regarding Afghanistan, Pakistan claims that the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists residing in Afghanistan are conducting attacks and terrorism on Pakistani soil, utilizing Afghan territory for anti-Pakistan activities. However, the Afghan government remains silent on these matters, denying the support for TTP and claiming that it is Pakistan’s internal issue and that they should not be dragged into it. In the past, the Afghan Taliban have advised Pakistan to engage in negotiations rather than using force against the TTP.
In the context of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, the TTP is not the only issue; there are other matters, including the border dispute concerning the Durand Line, which Afghanistan does not recognize, disagreements on trade and transit routes—particularly the permission for trade between India and Afghanistan via Pakistani territory—and water disputes, all of which are significant issues. Pakistan’s direct interests are linked to Afghanistan, and it has historically had good relations with the Afghan Taliban. Therefore, it is not easy to overlook Afghanistan and the Taliban government.
In principle, we were confident that after the establishment of the Taliban government in Kabul, trust and bilateral cooperation between the two countries would increase. This cooperation could not only help eliminate terrorism but also create new economic opportunities. It should have been the case that, following the establishment of the Afghan Taliban government, issues related to regional stability, counter-terrorism, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange would be resolved. However, it seems that the Afghan Taliban’s diplomatic priorities are skewed in favor of the U.S. and particularly India, which poses a serious issue for Pakistan’s internal matters.
On this basis, the economic aid being received by Afghanistan from India, which notably includes the establishment of basic administrative structures, is significant. Some believe that India wants to make Afghanistan its strategic partner and believes that if its relations with Afghanistan are strengthened, particularly on economic grounds, it will result in Afghanistan relying more on India than on Pakistan. Furthermore, India can use these effective relations to exert more pressure on Pakistan or push for its political isolation. It is important to note that a strategic partnership agreement between India and Afghanistan has existed since 2011.
Similarly, the U.S. is also an issue. The U.S. understands that the increasing economic or strategic presence of China in the region cannot be overlooked, and it directly monitors these matters. However, there is concern in the U.S. that if relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan do not improve, it will lead to further instability. The problem for the U.S. is that it prioritizes Indian interests and, based on this, refrains from taking the necessary actions that should have been applied as significant pressure on the Afghan government. Overall, the U.S. role appears to support India.
In this entire context, Pakistan needs to understand its regional crises, particularly regarding Afghanistan, with a keen and political acumen. We are paying a heavy price for the atmosphere of mistrust present in Afghanistan, leading to new issues, so we need to think more about what alternative solutions might be available. We require the support and cooperation of the Afghan government at any cost regarding Afghan affairs.
For this purpose, Pakistan is continuously in contact with the Afghan government. We have practically been part of various types of negotiations with the Afghan Taliban in the past, and we have experience in this regard. Pakistan’s position is that we have not only information but also evidence that terrorist camps are located in the Afghan provinces adjacent to the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, where these terrorists are trained in the use of modern weaponry and other combat methods. Additionally, these locations serve as safe havens for those conducting terrorism in Pakistan. It is understandable that the Afghan Taliban have a soft spot for the TTP; however, they are viewed as terrorists globally, including by Pakistan, which has imposed restrictions on them.
Thus, Pakistan’s issues in the context of Afghanistan or regional development are part of a significant political and diplomatic struggle. We can win this struggle only if there are possibilities for improving regional relations or advancing bilateral cooperation. However, a major key to this is Pakistan’s internal stability regarding politics, economics, and security.
Due to several internal weaknesses and shortcomings, not only are we facing the politics of instability, but our own security issues are also increasing. It seems we have become too entangled in internal matters, overshadowing our focus on regional politics, economic opportunities, or reducing disputes. Therefore, it would be a better strategy to view the remedy for regional politics in conjunction with strengthening internal politics.