Pak-Afghan Relations

The relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been a complex and intricate one, with a shared history, cultural affinities, and border disputes that have shaped their interactions for centuries.

Early Relations (1947-1979)

After the partition of British India in 1947, Pakistan and Afghanistan emerged as independent nations. Pakistan and Afghanistan sign the Durand Line Agreement, formally recognizing the border between the two countries. But there was a slight issue:

Afghanistan contested its legitimacy, claiming parts of the Pashtun-dominated areas in Pakistan.

During this period, relations between the two countries were generally cordial, with trade and cultural exchanges taking place. However, the issue of the Durand Line remained a source of tension, occasionally leading to diplomatic disputes.

 In 1961, Pakistan and Afghanistan sign the Indus Waters Treaty, dividing the waters of the Indus River between the two countries.

Soviet Occupation of Afghanistan (1979-1989)

When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, leading to a nine-year war, Pakistan began providing support to the Afghan Mujahideen who were fighting against the Union.

Then in 1988, Pakistan and Afghanistan signed the Geneva Accords, which called for the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan and the establishment of a transitional government.

U.S. Invasion of Afghanistan (2001-2014)

In 2001, the United States invaded Afghanistan in response to the September 11th attacks. The Taliban is overthrown later on, and Afghanistan held its first presidential election.

In July 2010, a Memorandum of understanding was reached between Pakistan and Afghanistan for the Afghan- Pak Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA), observed by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Another MoU was signed the construction of rail tracks in Afghanistan to connect with Pakistan Railroads( PR), which has been underway since 2005 due to the Taliban’s reluctance to recognize it.

It was not until 2014, though, when the U.S. and its allies began withdrawing their troops.

Recent Developments (2015-2024)

This bipolar era was characterized with periods of both, cooperation, and tension. To be precise, we’ll only be discussing crucial events and years.

2015:

Tensions escalated due to cross-border firing and allegations of supporting terrorist groups, and Pakistan closed the border with Afghanistan.

2016:

• Diplomatic efforts to improve relations included visits by Pakistani officials to Afghanistan.

• The former Afghan President, Ashraf Ghani, also visited Pakistan to discuss security and economic cooperation.

• Pakistan released Taliban prisoners as a goodwill gesture.

2018:

• The U.S. and Taliban signed a peace deal in Qatar, with Pakistan playing a key role in facilitating the negotiations.

• Pakistan reopened the border with Afghanistan.

• The Afghan government and the Taliban began peace talks.

2023:

The Pakistani government declared in October that all "unlawful residents" would need to leave the nation on their own volition by November 1st, the end of the year. All remaining undocumented immigrants would be deported by force after that date.

Although it's unclear if Pakistan has the infrastructure and logistical capacity to return so many people home, the unilateral move has sparked a fierce backlash from the Taliban. Pakistan says that Afghan nationals were responsible for 14 of the 24 suicide attacks that occurred there in 2023. The already strained relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan would worsen if Pakistan launches a crackdown on unregistered Afghan refugees and forces them to flee the nation.