The conflict between these two neighbours has lasted over time, with Pakistan repeatedly accusing the Afghan Taliban government of allowing armed groups, including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, to operate from Afghan soil and carry out attacks inside Pakistan. But Kabul denied the allegations, insisting it does not permit its territory to be used against any country.
The situation then further led to cross-border clashes, airstrikes, and the temporary closure of key border crossings, disrupting trade and travel. The long-disputed Durand Line border remains a central source of tension, with both sides blaming each other for instability.
Despite periodic diplomatic talks, relations remain strained, raising concerns about regional security and humanitarian impacts.
But let’s delve into the root cause.
Islamabad earlier maintained that militant groups, including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, and the Baloch Liberation Army, are operating from Afghan territory and launching attacks inside Pakistan. Kabul denies providing safe havens, but the accusations have pushed relations to a critical point.
The conflict, however, entered a new phase after Pakistan carried out airstrikes targeting suspected militant hideouts inside Afghanistan. Afghan authorities reported significant damage at Bagram Air Base, including the destruction of military assets.
Pakistani officials described the strikes as precise and necessary to protect national security. But security analysts call the move tactically significant though they warned that military action alone cannot ensure long-term stability.
Beyond the battlefield, attention is turning inward.
Pakistan’s border provinces, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, share more than 2,600 kilometres of porous border with Afghanistan. In recent years, both provinces have witnessed rising militancy.
These points include governance challenges, political instability, corruption allegations, unemployment, and uneven development as factors fueling local resentment. These grievances are allegedly exploited by militant networks to recruit young people.
On a 2,600 KM long border, Balochistan and KPk Province lies the chief ministers of both provinces failed to deliver their constituents right rather, they are more focused on other irrelevant things, leaving them to face allegations of nepotism & corruption.
For instance, according to reports, Sarfraz Bugti, CM of Balochistan, is facing charges of severe corruption, bad governance and moving huge amounts out of the country, including moving his family to the UAE; he seems less interested in addressing these public issues.
Sohail Afridi, CM KPK, also failed to deliver constituents’ rights, currently facing charges of corruption, nepotism and nexus. His only focus is to bring out his jailed leader, Imran Khan, instead of facilitating the public.
Besides military actions, putting things in order is extremely important for Pakistan. The reason they continue to press Afghanistan to dismantle militant infrastructure but Afghan officials reject claims of state facilitation, but acknowledge challenges in controlling remote areas.
The big question is, with all these infusions, what could be the way forward? the solution obviously lies in a dual strategy: continued targeted security operations to neutralize militant threats, and strong governance reforms in border provinces including transparency, youth employment, anti-corruption measures, and at least a fair political representation.
Military action may disrupt networks, but sustainable peace depends on restoring public trust and addressing internal weaknesses.
Also, for Pakistan to earn lasting peace, they need to upscale its strength at the border and attribute it to be matched by reform at home; only then can the cycle of violence be broken.
Joy Ani, a broadcaster, writes from Abuja