Why are Afghanistan and Pakistan relations so tensed?

Over the past week, tensions grew between these countries. Pakistan launched strikes against its neighbor. The target was the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) group. In return, Talibans attacked military posts on the border.

TTP is a nationalist group seen as terrorist. While they have their own command structures, the group pledged allegiance to the Talibans. Their goal is to overthrow the government of Pakistan. To do that, they use terrorist acts against its armed forces and state.

Pakistan accuses the Talibans of letting TTP hide and attack from their territory. No need to remind this already happened when they let Al-Qaeda operate from within.

The current situation is fragile. The risk of violence could grow if the two countries cannot find common ground.

Let’s dig into this tensed relationship.

A troubled history

This relationship has always been tough. One of the major issues is the Durand Line. This is the border drawn by the British in 1893. Pakistan accepts it as the official border. But Afghan leaders—both past and present—refuse it. This causes clashes between border forces. It makes it hard to manage trade or security along the 2,600-kilometer line.

Pakistan was once seen as a strong supporter of the Taliban. After the U.S. withdrawal, Pakistan hoped for better ties. It expected the Taliban to help control groups like TTP, which carried out deadly attacks inside Pakistan. But those hopes have not been fulfilled.

Growing security concerns

One of Pakistan’s biggest worries is the rising violence by the TTP. TTP often attacks from the Afghan territory. Pakistan accuses the Talibans of doing little to stop them. Some believe the Talibans are either unwilling or unable to control them. This led Pakistan to take military action with strikes near the border. This in turn anger the Talibans.

In recent months, the situation has worsened. Clashes at border posts have led to deaths on both sides. Talibans claim they killed dozens of Pakistan’s soldiers in a fight. In return, Pakistan closed the border and increased patrols. These events show how quickly tensions can rise and how hard it is to build trust between the two sides.

The refugee challenge

The Afghan refugees is another issue. After decades of war, millions of Afghans have fled to Pakistan. Some have lived there for years or even generations. But Pakistan began forcing many of them to return home. It says this is vital for national security.

Many fears going back. Afghanistan’s economy is weak, jobs are scarce, and basic services are missing in many areas. The Talibans has also cracked down on dissent. This makes life harder for returning Afghans. These forced returns have caused anger in Kabul and worsened relationship.

Trade and economic ties

Despite their differences, both countries rely on trade. Pakistan exports food, medicine, and goods to Afghanistan. In return, Afghanistan provides Pakistan with transit routes to Central Asia. Trade was once seen as a possible way to improve relations. But frequent border closures, security threats, and red tape hurt business. Truck drivers, traders, and locals on both sides often suffer when tensions lead to border shutdowns.

China, a powerful key player, wants to stabilize the region. It hosted talks and encouraged both to settle disputes and open up trade routes. China also wants to expand its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) through Afghanistan. This would benefit both states. But progress has been slow, and security remain a big obstacle.

Diplomatic efforts

Both states made small steps toward improving diplomacy. They exchanged ambassadors and restarted talks. But real progress is limited. Deep mistrust, around the TTP and border disputes, keeps the relationship stuck. Many experts believe that without real action against TTP, talks will not succeed.

The role of other key powers is also important. States like Iran, Russia, and China want to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a hub for terrorism. They took part in talks to promote peace and security. Still, no one found a lasting solution to the many challenges in the region.

The road ahead

Afghanistan and Pakistan are at a crossroads. Both face internal problems: economic troubles, political instability, and rising public anger. But they also have shared interests. Peaceful borders, open trade, and regional cooperation could benefit both states. The question is whether their leaders can overcome old rivalries and build a future based on cooperation instead of conflict.

To move forward, they must agree on basic principles. These include respecting each other’s borders, stopping support for TTP, and protecting civilians. Without such steps, the region risks falling deeper into violence and instability.

 Decoding geopolitics isn’t a job. It’s survival.

Joy