PAKISTAN – AFGHANISTAN RELATIONS: A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Due to geographical contiguity, Pakistan and Afghanistan are interdependent and their bilateral relations affect regional stability, growth, security, integrity and regional peace. Historically, their relations have been strained due to divergent stance on various bilateral issues. The standard security and economic challenges, shared faith, and ethnic and cultural similarities could not help restore trust between the two states, which helped India interfere and disrupt the bilateral engagement. The bilateral mistrust developed during the partition of India, when the Afghan government demanded the accession or separation of the Pashtun tribal
areas and revoking of the Durand Line. Failing in its demands, Afghanistan voted against Pakistan’s membership in the UN in 1947 and consistently opposed Pakistan at regional and global levels. Bilateral issues were exploited as political tools against Pakistan to incite public support, which mired cooperation. On the contrary, Pakistan supported Afghanistan during troubled times, extended
economic facilitation and pursued reconciliation. Scholars believed the rise of the Afghan Taliban in August 2021 would ensure improved bilateral relations between the two states. However, the disconnect further exacerbated the issues of Tehreeke-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), repatriation of unregistered refugees, illegal trade, massive outflow of foreign currencies, particularly US dollars and border management. The research paper will evaluate Pakistan-Afghanistan relations historically, identify bottlenecks, and explore avenues for cooperation that lead to specific policy recommendations for durable regional peace and stability.