The relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been fraught with tension and conflict for decades. Both countries share a border having the potential for numerous trade activities and incentives for both sides. The landlocked country can benefit from the Arabian sea through good terms with Pakistan. On the other hand, Pakistan could benefit from the mineral resources deposits Afghanistan possesses, through trade agreements. In recent years, the increased terror activities in Pakistan have added further complications to an already complex relationship.
Let's explore the state of Pak-Afghan relations in the aftermath of this recent wave of terrorism, and consider the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
The roots of the conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan go back many years and stem from a range of historical, political, and cultural factors. In recent years, however, the threat of terrorism has become a major source of tension between the two nations. Afghanistan has long accused Pakistan of providing a haven to terrorist groups that operate within its borders, while Pakistan has argued that it is doing its best to combat terrorism and that the real problem lies within Afghanistan's borders.
The recent upsurge in terror activities in Pakistan has only added to the tension between the two nations. Over the past several months, Pakistan has been hit by a wave of bombings and other attacks that have claimed the lives of hundreds of people. These attacks have been attributed to a range of terrorist groups, many of which are believed to operate from within Afghanistan's borders, especially Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The situation has led to increased pressure on both Pakistan and Afghanistan to address the issue of terrorism more effectively. In Pakistan, there has been a renewed focus on strengthening counter-terrorism measures and improving intelligence gathering and analysis. In Afghanistan, there has been a renewed push to stamp out terrorism and bring stability to the country. Despite these efforts, the situation in both countries remains volatile, and the threat of terrorism continues to linger; This has led to increased calls for closer cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan on security and intelligence issues, as well as calls for a greater focus on regional and international efforts to address the root causes of terrorism in the region.
In 2021, Afghan Taliban returned to power after a 20-year-long fight against the U.S. troops who claimed to be involved in the war to eliminate any potential uprising of terrorism following the 9/11 attacks. International observers remain concerned that the Taliban support terrorist organizations, particularly al-Qaeda, posing a threat to regional security. The United States invaded Afghanistan after it refused to hand over Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks. Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is another group involved in terror activities in Pakistan, certainly claiming to be operating from Afghanistan.
There have been numerous instances of terrorism in Pakistan by the Taliban. The 2014 Peshawar school attack, the 2016 Shah Noorani shrine attack, and the 2020 Karachi stock exchange bombing are some of those. These attacks killed thousands, and numerous were injured.
The recent bombing by the terrorist groups in Peshawar inside the Police Officers Mosque demonstrates their potential growth amid the financial and political crisis the country is facing, which has shifted the attention from terrorism and security concerns towards saving the country from getting bankrupt. The deadly suicide bombing caused over 100 people to lose their lives, and dozens were injured. Getting inside a mosque full of police officers and passing through the checkpoints without getting noticed shows their strength, yet the incapable security. Two more incidents have occurred in the country after this attack indicating the rise of terrorists inside the country. These recent bombings, amid the crisis, have caused Pak-Afghan relations to deteriorate. Pak government, which is currently busy tackling financial issues, has blamed the Afghan government for its incapable control, giving an uprising to terrorists to plan their filthy intentions inside Pakistan.
While Pakistan is facing economic distress, deteriorating its relationship with its neighbors will further create problems that will ultimately cause thousands of innocent lives. The Pak army, which once eliminated any possible terror growth in 2015 through the Zarb-e-Azb operation initiated by General Raheel Sharif following the Peshawar school attack, has claimed to fight the terror groups. However, no particular action has been taken against the planners: no one has been caught yet.
The state of Pak-Afghan relations today is shaped by many factors, including political tensions, cultural differences, and historical grudges. However, despite these challenges, there are also several opportunities for the two nations to come together and address the threat of terrorism in the region. One key opportunity for closer cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan is the potential for greater regional integration. As two of the largest and most influential nations in the region, Pakistan and Afghanistan have a unique opportunity to work together and build stronger economic, political, and security ties with their neighbors. By working together, they can help to promote stability, security, and prosperity throughout the region.
Another opportunity for cooperation between the two nations is the potential for greater cooperation on counter-terrorism and intelligence-sharing. With the threat of terrorism still very real in both countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan must work together to gather and share intelligence, and coordinate their counter-terrorism efforts more effectively. Finally, there is also an opportunity for greater cultural exchange between the two nations. By promoting greater understanding and mutual respect, Pakistan and Afghanistan can help to build bridges between their communities and foster a deeper appreciation for each other's cultural heritage.
The relations between the two countries may languish if the terror attacks increase and both do not come to the same page to tackle this issue. The deteriorating relations may be a benefit to rival countries who may manipulate the two sides and turn the countries into rivals. Both should initiate operations to tackle the terrorism outgrowth, especially at the common border and neighboring cities such as Peshawar, and prevent them from taking thousands of lives. Not only this, but both should initiate trade agreements and benefit mutually. The trade routes inside Afghanistan can be vital for Pakistan to expand its land trade with middle eastern countries. The two countries should mutually solve their issues on Islamic terms. Both also have the potential of huge mineral reserves that could be vital to stabilize the economic condition of both and create employment.
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