Why have relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan plunged to an all-time low? | DW News

Key Concepts

• Pakistan-Afghanistan Border Conflict
• Tariq e Taliban (TTP)
• Cross-border Firefights
• Territorial and Airspace Violations
• Global Terror Index
• Diplomatic Relations
• Ceasefire
• Safe Havens

Escalation of Border Hostilities and Immediate Impact

The recent period has seen the worst hostilities between Pakistan and Afghanistan in over four years, characterized by intense overnight border operations. Afghanistan claims to have killed dozens of Pakistani soldiers, while Islamabad asserts it has killed scores of Afghan forces, with Pakistani forces specifically claiming over 200 Afghan casualties and the capture of 19 to 20 important checkpoints in the Afghan region. On the Pakistani side, 22 confirmed deaths resulted from these cross-border exchanges.

As a direct consequence of the fighting, major border crossings, including Torham in Khyber and Cham in Balochistan, have been closed. This closure has led to significant suffering, with thousands of vehicles, including those carrying perishable goods like fruit and vegetables, being stranded, causing distress among women and children near the border. Calls for dialogue to resolve the problem have emerged from those affected.

The Afghan side stated it attacked posts along the border on Saturday in retaliation for air strikes on its capital, Kabul, on Thursday. While the Taliban accused Pakistan of being behind these strikes, Pakistan never claimed responsibility. Pakistan's military released videos, claiming they showed the destruction of Taliban defenses in response to the overnight attacks from Afghanistan.

Underlying Causes and Mutual Accusations

The core of the escalating tensions lies in mutual accusations regarding the harboring and support of militant groups.

• Pakistan's Perspective: Pakistan accuses Afghan authorities of harboring members of the banned militant group Tariq e Taliban (TTP), who are allegedly carrying out attacks in Pakistan. Pakistan claims these attacks primarily target military forces and government servants and that the TTP has "safe havens" in Afghanistan.
• Afghanistan's Perspective: The Taliban government accuses Pakistan of repeated territory and airspace violations. It denies the existence of any TTP safe havens in Afghanistan, stating that the issue is an internal matter for Pakistan, not Afghanistan. The Afghan Foreign Minister, during a trip to India, stated, "We have no issues with the people of Pakistan or its administration. But there are some factions in Pakistan who are trying to make the situation worse. Afghanistan will secure its territory, borders and national interest. And that is why we immediately retaliated to escalation from Pakistan."

The journalist Asalan Khaled noted that while relations were better in the recent past, the current escalation has been "cooking" for months due to Pakistan's persistent accusations against Kabul. He also highlighted the historical context of TTP, which fought against US and NATO forces when they were present in Afghanistan, but circumstances changed after their withdrawal.

Regional Impact and International Mediation

The conflict has significant regional implications and has drawn international attention:

• Pakistan's Terrorism Burden: Pakistan is severely affected by terrorism. The Global Terror Index from the Institute of Economics and Peace calculates that Pakistan is one of the countries most impacted by terrorism, recording the highest number of terrorism deaths in 2024 after Burkina Faso.
• Geopolitical Concerns: Pakistan's security worries are intensifying, particularly as its biggest rival, India, improves diplomatic relations with the Taliban.
• International Calls for Restraint: The fighting prompted calls for restraint from several Muslim countries, including Iran, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia was notably the first country to reach out to Kabul and Islamabad when the escalation began. These countries conveyed a message that any issues should be resolved through dialogue and discussion.
• Ceasefire: The intervention by these nations has been instrumental in halting the fighting. Asalan Khaled confirmed that the escalation has stopped, and a ceasefire appears to be in place, with no exchange of fires observed since the afternoon. Both countries, especially Pakistan, realize they cannot afford a prolonged conflict, particularly given Pakistan's already strained relations with India.

Conclusion

The recent severe border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan underscore deep-seated tensions primarily fueled by mutual accusations of supporting militant groups and violating territorial sovereignty. While Pakistan blames Afghanistan for harboring TTP militants responsible for attacks on its soil, Afghanistan accuses Pakistan of airspace violations and air strikes. The humanitarian impact of border closures is significant, affecting trade and local populations. International mediation, particularly from Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Qatar, has been crucial in establishing a temporary ceasefire. However, a lasting dialogue remains distant, and the underlying issues, compounded by Pakistan's high terrorism burden and evolving regional geopolitics, present a complex challenge for both nations.