Pak-Afghan Relation

1947-1979 (Post-Independence and Cold War Era)

 1947: Afghan refusal to accept Durand Line  Voted against Pakistan’s membership in UN 
Claim over Pashtun / Baloch areas  Demand for renegotiating border agreement
 1950s-1970s: Periodic tensions and clashes over the Durand Line, the border demarcation
established during British rule.
 1973: Sardar Mohammed Daoud Khan seizes power in Afghanistan, leading to a period
of improved relations.

1979-1989 (Soviet Invasion and Afghan War)

 1979: Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Pakistan, under President Zia-ul-Haq, becomes a

major supporter of the Afghan Mujahideen, backed by the United States and Saudi
Arabia.
 1980s: Millions of Afghan refugees flee to Pakistan. Pakistan becomes a central player in
the anti-Soviet resistance, receiving significant US military and economic aid.

1989-2001 (Post-Soviet Withdrawal and Taliban Era)

 1989: Soviet troops withdraw from Afghanistan. Civil war ensues among various Afghan
factions.
 1996: The Taliban capture Kabul and establish control over most of Afghanistan.
Pakistan is one of the few countries to officially recognize the Taliban government.

2001-2014 (Post-9/11 and War on Terror)

 2001: US-led invasion of Afghanistan following the 9/11 attacks. The Taliban regime is
overthrown. Pakistan becomes a key ally of the US in the War on Terror.
 2004: Pakistan faces increasing cross-border militant activity from Afghan Taliban and
other insurgent groups.
 2007: Surge in terrorist attacks in Pakistan, partly attributed to instability in Afghanistan.

2014-Present (Post-NATO Drawdown and Ongoing Conflict)

 2014: NATO ends its combat mission in Afghanistan. The Afghan National Security
Forces (ANSF) take over security responsibilities.
 2015: Pakistan hosts peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban, but the
process faces setbacks.
 2017: US President Donald Trump announces a new strategy for Afghanistan, calling on
Pakistan to do more to combat terrorism.
 2018: Increased efforts for peace negotiations involving the US, Pakistan, Afghanistan,
and the Taliban.
  2020: The US and Taliban sign a peace agreement in Doha, Qatar, with Pakistan playing
a facilitating role.
 2021: US and NATO troops withdraw from Afghanistan. The Taliban swiftly take
control of Kabul in August, leading to a new phase of uncertainty and humanitarian
crisis.

Issues of Concern for Pakistan Two-border situation

• Indian influence
• Pak-Afghan Border
• Anti-Pakistan militant / terrorist organizations in Afghanistan Terrorist Safe Havens
(TTP, al-Qaeda, IS-Khorasan)
• Afghan Refugee: Pakistan has hosted more than 5 million Afghan refugees. However,
the bulk of around 3.8 million have returned to Afghanistan; and many returnees keep
trickling back to Pakistan.75 There are still 3 million registered and unregistered Afghan
refugees76 on Pakistani soil who continue to be a strain on the country‟s weak economy,
as well as a grave security risk mostly in the form of support to militant groups operating
in Pakistan. It is estimated that during the past 34 years, Pakistan has spent hundreds of
billions of dollars on hosting Afghan refugees
• Baloch / Pashtun secessionists in Afghanistan
• Economic interests
• Water Resources: Shared Water Resources: The Kabul River basin is an important
shared water resource. Pakistan is concerned about any unilateral Afghan development
projects that could affect water flow into Pakistan, impacting agriculture and water
security. Shahtoot Dam: Afghanistan's Shahtoot Dam on the Maidan River (a tributary
of the Kabul River) aims to provide drinking water to Kabul city. Kunar River Projects:
Afghanistan's plans to develop hydropower projects on the Kunar River, which merges
with the Kabul River
• Border management: Drug trade

Recent development

Tensions

 Tensions have escalated due to cross-border militant attacks. Pakistan has conducted
airstrikes in Afghan territory in response to attacks by militants, which Pakistan claims
are orchestrated from Afghanistan (Security Council Report) (NGV).
 Despite the tensions, there have been significant steps towards cooperation. In May 2024,
the foreign ministers of both countries met and agreed to boost trade and address security
issues.
 The Taliban have announced plans to relocate Pakistani refugees from border provinces
to other parts of Afghanistan to prevent their involvement in attacks in Pakistan (The
Diplomat).
 TTP commaner nasrullah
 16-june, TTP commander Waliullah was killed by the Counter-Terrorism Department
(CTD) of Bannu in an intelligence-based operation in the Lakki Marwat district in the
province, (the Express Tribune newspaper reported.)
 26-june, The Balochistan government announced arrest of two prominent leaders of the
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
 30-june, 3rd doha meeting hosted by UN
 Taliban urged the world to lift sanctions
 1- june: Russia FM says: Moscow hints at droping santion against Taliban.(Dawn Newz)
 Pak delegation meet Taliban leaders at a meeting at DOha