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Pakistan and Afghanistan locked in a spiral of strife

Published : Wednesday, 1 January, 2025 at 12:00 AM  Count : 502
The wind was thick with whitish smoke, the unmistakable scent of gunpowder mingling with the acrid stench of scorched earth. A convoy of Pakistani soldiers, weary but determined, advanced cautiously through the jagged terrain of Khyber Pass. On the other side of the Pakistan-built fences, shadows moved swiftly-fighters from the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), bolstered by their familiarity with the rugged landscape. A sudden explosion shattered the tense quiet, and chaos erupted. Mortar shells rained down, ripping through the air as soldiers scrambled for cover. The Taliban fighters had struck first, a calculated ambush that revealed their growing confidence and operational capability. As the battle unfolded, the uneasy border between Pakistan and Afghanistan became more than a line on a map-it was a battlefield where decades of mistrust and unresolved grievances manifested in blood and fire.

This scene, sound fictional, captures the very real volatility along the Durand Line, a border that has historically been more a source of contention than a demarcation of peace. The relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan is a history of alliances forged and broken, a bloody chessboard where ethnic, political, and strategic interests collide. Recent skirmishes and airstrikes have once again thrust this fraught relationship into the international spotlight, exposing the layers of complexity and tragedy that define it.

The roots of the conflict stretch back to 1893 when British colonial authorities established the Durand Line. This 2,640-kilometre 'border' cleaved through Pashtun tribal lands, leaving families and communities divided. For Afghanistan, the line has always symbolized a colonial relic, a theft of sovereignty and an affront to its national identity. Pakistan, on the other hand, considers it a legitimate international boundary. This disagreement remains a flashpoint, particularly for the Pashtun population, who often find themselves caught in a liminal space, exploited by both sides but truly served by neither.

The rise of the Taliban added another layer of complexity. Pakistan's support for the group in the 1990s was a calculated move to secure a friendly regime in Kabul. But the strategy backfired spectacularly with the emergence of the TTP, a militant offshoot targeting the Pakistani state. Now, Pakistan grapples with the grim irony of battling a group it inadvertently empowered. Since the Afghan Taliban's return to power in 2021, the TTP has intensified its activities, launched over 850 attacks, and causing hundreds of casualties. Pakistan's retaliatory airstrikes in Afghanistan's Paktika Province, aimed at neutralizing TTP operatives, have sparked international outcry due to significant civilian casualties. Afghanistan's Taliban-led government has accused Pakistan of recklessness, while Islamabad insists it is merely defending itself against a growing insurgent threat.

The strategic stakes are high for both nations. For Pakistan, the instability jeopardizes critical projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a lifeline for its struggling economy. Attacks by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) on Chinese interests only exacerbate these concerns, highlighting the intersection of domestic insurgencies and international diplomacy. Afghanistan, meanwhile, faces its own daunting challenges. Its economy teeters on the brink of collapse, poverty is widespread, and its government struggles to maintain control over a fractured territory. The Afghan Taliban's tacit tolerance of the TTP reflects a precarious balancing act; alienating one militant faction could strengthen another, such as the Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K), which remains a direct threat to their rule.

Ethnic and sectarian tensions further complicate the situation. The Pashtun population, straddling both sides of the border, harbours grievances that fuel support for militant groups. Sectarian violence in Pakistan's Kurram Agency adds another layer of instability, creating fertile ground for recruitment and radicalization.

In this increasing chaos, there are glimmers of potential solutions. Diplomatic engagement remains a vital avenue. Recent initiatives, such as the visit of Pakistan's special envoy to Afghanistan, signal a willingness to address shared concerns. However, dialogue must be sustained and substantive, focusing on practical measures like joint border management and intelligence sharing. The involvement of regional powers like China and Russia could also provide a neutral platform for negotiations. China, with its investments in Pakistan and security concerns in Xinjiang, has a national stake in regional stability, while Russia's historical experience with Afghan insurgencies positions it as a potential mediator.

Addressing the root causes of the conflict is equally crucial. For Pakistan, this means investing in the development of marginalized regions like Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, ensuring that economic opportunities counteract the allure of militancy. Afghanistan must work to integrate its diverse communities, asserting control over its territory without alienating key stakeholders.

The battle at Khyber Pass, though fictional, mirrors the real and ongoing clashes that define the Pakistan-Afghanistan relationship. Each skirmish is a symptom of deeper issues-historical grievances, geopolitical rivalries, and the human toll of a conflict that has spanned generations. The path to peace is fraught with challenges, but it is possible. Through sustained dialogue, cooperative security measures, and socio-economic development, both nations can begin to dismantle the cycle of violence that holds them captive. The stakes are monumental, not just for the region but for global stability, as the world watches and waits for a resolution to this enduring conflict.

The writer is an Editor of Geopolits.com                                                                                                           


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