Afghanistan must wake up
State sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national security are foundational principles of the modern international system. Situated at the crossroads of South Asia and Central Asia, Pakistan and Afghanistan share deep historical, cultural, and geographical ties. However, in recent years, tensions in bilateral relations have raised serious concerns regarding regional stability. Allegations that Afghan territory is being used to facilitate terrorism against Pakistan, along with the dynamics of proxy warfare, non-state actors, and external interference, have significantly strained mutual trust. From the perspective of Realism in International Relations theory, states prioritize survival and the preservation of power. If a state allows its territory to be used against another, it violates the principles of Westphalian sovereignty and undermines the broader regional security architecture. Pakistan has consistently maintained that certain elements operating from Afghan territory are involved in cross-border terrorism, which constitutes a breach of the principle of sovereign equality.
Following the return to power of the Afghan Taliban, Pakistan expected that the new authorities would ensure that Afghan soil would not be used for hostile activities against neighboring states. Under international law, the principle of “due diligence” obliges states to prevent actors within their jurisdiction from harming other states. Failure to fulfill this responsibility may amount to indirect facilitation of terrorism.
Over the past four decades, Pakistan has largely pursued a policy of strategic patience and constructive engagement toward Afghanistan. It hosted millions of Afghan refugees, facilitated transit trade, provided humanitarian assistance, and extended diplomatic support. These measures may be interpreted as manifestations of soft power and a policy of good neighborliness. However, if terrorist incidents within Pakistan are traced to elements operating from Afghan territory, this deepens the mutual trust deficit between the two states. In international politics, the concepts of proxy politics and hybrid warfare are highly relevant. Allegations that a third party, particularly India, may be exploiting Afghan territory to undermine Pakistan reflect strategies of external balancing or indirect containment. Such dynamics intensify the security dilemma, whereby defensive measures taken by one state are perceived as threats by another, leading to escalating tensions. From a political science perspective, state stability depends on both internal and external security. If cross-border militant networks or extremist ideologies gain momentum, they can generate a low-intensity conflict environment. Pakistan has implemented a comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy, including military operations, the National Action Plan, and broader national security frameworks. Nevertheless, without effective regional cooperation, the impact of these efforts may remain constrained.
According to Liberalism in International Relations, economic interdependence, institutional linkages, and cooperative frameworks can mitigate conflict. In the context of Pakistan–Afghanistan relations, transit trade agreements, cross-border markets, and regional connectivity projects can serve as confidence-building measures. However, when security concerns dominate the bilateral agenda, economic cooperation also suffers, resulting in mutual losses. Non-state armed groups pose significant challenges to state authority and governance. If a government is unable to control such actors, it reflects a governance deficit. Afghanistan’s political transition and relative international isolation have affected its internal stability, with potential spillover effects on neighboring countries. For Pakistan, this instability risks becoming a security externality with direct domestic consequences.
The principle of reciprocity in international relations underscores mutual accountability. If one state consistently provides support while facing security threats in return, it raises critical questions about foreign policy equilibrium. Pakistan has long supported Afghanistan’s sovereignty and peace processes; however, persistent cross-border threats necessitate policy reassessment grounded in national interest. Sustainable regional peace requires the establishment of a mutual security framework, including intelligence sharing, effective border management, and joint counter-terrorism mechanisms. Multilateral forums such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) can also play a constructive role in promoting collective security. Meaningful diplomatic dialogue and structured confidence-building measures remain indispensable. The regional balance of power in South Asia remains delicate. If Afghan territory continues to be used against Pakistan, it will not only damage bilateral relations but also destabilize the wider region. It is therefore imperative for Afghanistan to establish effective writ of the state and take concrete action against terrorist networks operating within its borders.
In conclusion, Pakistan–Afghanistan relations must be guided by strategic realism and responsible neighborhood policy rather than reactive rhetoric. Respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the principle of non-intervention is in the interest of both states. Should Afghanistan effectively prevent the use of its territory for terrorism, it would contribute to stability and prosperity across the region. Otherwise, persistent mistrust and an intensifying security dilemma may further entrench regional instability, with consequences for all stakeholders involved.