The Islamic Republic of Pakistan a country of strategic importance in the region for its defence, economic, political and diplomatic roles has long preferred peaceful and constructive relations with its neighbours. Historically, the relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been anchored in goodwill, Islamic brotherhood and shared sacrifice. Yet in recent years those ties have frayed, giving way to mistrust, militancy and cross-border tensions that now stand at a perilous turning point.
Persistent terrorist attacks originating from Afghan border areas, sanctuary provided to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operatives, and overtly hostile actions by elements within Afghanistan have severely damaged the spirit of fraternity between the two countries. Despite the deterioration, Pakistan showed extraordinary restraint and generosity after the Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021: it kept its diplomatic mission in Kabul open when many major states evacuated, provided safe evacuation routes for thousands of foreign nationals, and pushed at multilateral forums – including the United Nations for the release of frozen Afghan funds. Pakistan supported regional assistance for the Afghan people through platforms such as the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO).
In efforts to sustain trade and livelihoods, Pakistan launched measures like the “Early Harvest Program,” cutting tariffs on eight key agricultural commodities to ease access for Afghan traders. Under the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA), Afghan traders were granted duty-free access, and millions of Afghans have traditionally been welcomed into Pakistani schools, hospitals and markets.
If the Taliban truly regard Pakistan as a “brother,” they must decisively act against those who spill Pakistani blood from Afghan soil.
Tragically, these gestures of goodwill have not been reciprocated. Instead of warm relations, Pakistan has faced open hostility and in many cases, terrorism emanating from Afghan soil. The TTP has reportedly established safe havens in Afghanistan and used them to launch attacks inside Pakistan. According to Pakistani security assessments cited in government reporting from June 2025 to the present some 172 militant groups and roughly 4,000 insurgents have infiltrated from Afghanistan into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and carried out attacks. Balochistan has likewise seen incursions: more than 83 organisations are reported to have infiltrated from Zabul, Kandahar and Helmand.
The United Nations’ 36th monitoring report) corroborated concerns that the Taliban administration is providing a permissive environment in which Al-Qaeda, the TTP and other militant outfits can operate. The UN report estimated that the TTP commands over 6,000 fighters and receives financial and logistical support, while Al-Qaeda camps operate openly in sensitive provinces such as Ghazni, Kunar, Kandahar and Zabul.
Pakistan has repeatedly pursued diplomatic, religious and tribal channels to persuade the Afghan authorities to act against terrorist elements. High-level initiatives have included a delegation of ulema led by Mufti Taqi Usmani to Kabul in July 2022, subsequent tribal jirgas, and visits by defence and interior ministers in February 2023 and July 2024. But despite assurances, concrete action has been negligible.
Recent intelligence reports further allege that TTP emir Noor Wali Mehsud is based in Kabul under Taliban protection and receives monthly funding of approximately $43,000; social media posts about his well-being have been taken as confirmation of his safe haven. The participation of Afghan nationals in recent TTP infiltration squads lends weight to the claim that these are not merely non-state actors but part of a coordinated campaign with state backing. Meanwhile, sophisticated arms left behind by U.S. and NATO forces have fallen into militant hands including M4 and M16 rifles, night-vision devices and thermal imagers reportedly trafficked by Afghan commanders and now posing a grave challenge to Pakistani security forces. Attacks such as the assault on the Frontier Corps headquarters in Bannu involved Afghan nationals among the attackers, and the Dera Ismail Khan police training school attack was claimed by a group linked with Taliban assistance. Pakistani forces, in encounters and counter-operations, have killed 207 Afghan nationals whose identities have reportedly been confirmed.
For its part, Pakistan has been no stranger to hospitality: over the last four decades it has hosted more than five million Afghan refugees, offering access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities. But the current security dynamics have turned what was once a humanitarian and political commitment into a matter of national security. Islamabad maintains that while Afghan nationals in Pakistan will be treated under national law and international principles, Pakistan also has the sovereign right and duty to secure its borders, territory and people.
The Pakistani narrative rejects the Taliban’s claim that militancy is solely Pakistan’s internal problem. International reports suggest otherwise and Islamabad warns Kabul that deepening ties with India may yield short-term political benefits in Kabul but have long-term strategic consequences; historically, Pakistan insists, Afghanistan has sometimes been used to advance external interests at Pakistan’s expense.
There remains an opportunity for de-escalation. Islamabad urges the Afghan Taliban to move beyond rhetoric and implement concrete, verifiable steps to dismantle militant sanctuaries and deny support to groups that target Pakistan. If the Taliban truly regard Pakistan as a “brother,” they must decisively act against those who spill Pakistani blood from Afghan soil. Absent credible action, Pakistan has made clear it will take all necessary measures to protect its security and territorial integrity.
Pakistan continues to desire a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan but that outcome hinges on Kabul recognizing its responsibilities and aligning state policy with the promotion of peace rather than facilitating militants. Failing that, Islamabad warns, any future aggression originating from across the border will be met with an appropriate and effective response.
The writer is a freelance columnist.