The Pakistan-Afghanistan relationship has been marred by mutual distrust and persistent geopolitical tension, most notably due to the unresolved Durand Line issue. The border, drawn during British colonial rule in 1893, has never been accepted by successive Afghan governments. This territorial disagreement has deeply influenced their bilateral relations, fostering hostility, border skirmishes, and policy conflicts for decades. This editorial delves into the historical roots of the Durand Line, its legal and political implications, and its continued impact on bilateral ties. Through an examination of past events and current realities, it becomes clear that the Durand Line remains the single most divisive factor in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations.
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Colonial Legacy and the Creation of the Durand Line
The origin of the Durand Line lies in British imperial interests during the late 19th century. In 1893, Sir Mortimer Durand, a British diplomat, negotiated an agreement with Amir Abdur Rahman Khan of Afghanistan to demarcate a border between British India and Afghanistan. The primary objective for the British was to create a buffer zone between British India and Tsarist Russia. The Durand Line, spanning approximately 2,640 kilometres, divided the Pashtun tribal belt, slicing through ethnic and cultural continuities without consideration for local demographics. Although the agreement served the geopolitical aims of the British Empire, it planted the seeds of enduring resentment in Afghanistan, which viewed the line as an arbitrary division of its historical territories.
Afghanistan's Consistent Refusal to Accept the Durand Line
From the inception of Pakistan in 1947, Afghanistan refused to recognize the Durand Line as an international border. This rejection was both political and symbolic. Afghanistan was the only country to vote against Pakistan's admission to the United Nations, citing the unresolved status of the border. Afghan leaders, including King Zahir Shah and later communist and Islamist regimes, consistently demanded a renegotiation of the frontier. They argued that the agreement with the British was imposed and expired upon the departure of the colonial power. Although international law often upholds the principle of uti possidetis juris, which favors the continuation of colonial boundaries, Afghanistan has historically challenged the legitimacy of the Durand Line on nationalist and ethnic grounds.
Pashtun Nationalism and the Idea of "Pashtunistan"
A significant factor exacerbating the border dispute has been the question of Pashtun identity. The Durand Line divides the Pashtun population almost equally between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Afghan governments have repeatedly supported the idea of a separate "Pashtunistan" or at least greater autonomy for Pashtuns within Pakistan. This support has deeply antagonized Islamabad, which views such advocacy as interference in its internal affairs. The issue reached its peak in the 1950s and 1960s when Kabul provided political and occasionally military backing to Pashtun nationalist movements in Pakistan's tribal regions. In response, Pakistan began cultivating closer ties with Islamic factions opposed to the Afghan government, laying the groundwork for future proxy dynamics in their bilateral relations.
The Soviet Invasion and Shifting Strategic Priorities
The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 marked a turning point in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, temporarily shifting focus from the Durand Line to strategic survival. Pakistan became a frontline state in the Western-backed jihad against Soviet forces, hosting millions of Afghan refugees and training mujahideen fighters. However, the underlying border dispute remained unresolved. While the cooperation during the 1980s appeared to align Pakistani and Afghan interests against a common enemy, the trust deficit remained. After the Soviet withdrawal, Pakistan sought to maintain influence in Afghanistan by supporting various factions, especially the Taliban. This pursuit of strategic depth was interpreted in Kabul as an extension of Pakistani territorial ambition, further souring relations.
Post-2001 Dynamics and the Resurgence of the Durand Issue
Following the United States-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, the Durand Line regained prominence as a security and diplomatic issue. The Afghan government, under President Hamid Karzai and later Ashraf Ghani, continued to reject the line as an international border. Tensions escalated with repeated cross-border incursions, militant movements, and Pakistani construction of fencing along the border. Pakistan, citing security concerns and the need to curb terrorist infiltration, unilaterally began fencing the Durand Line in 2017. Afghanistan opposed the move, claiming it violated Afghan sovereignty. These developments illustrate how the historic dispute has evolved into a modern conflict over border control, surveillance, and national identity, with both states accusing each other of harboring hostile elements.
Border Disputes Affecting Bilateral Cooperation
The lack of consensus on the Durand Line has consistently hampered efforts at regional cooperation. Trade agreements, counterterrorism efforts, refugee repatriation, and infrastructure projects often collapse under the weight of mutual suspicion. Although several initiatives, such as the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement and the Pakistan-Afghanistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity, have been attempted, none have addressed the core issue of the disputed border. This omission creates a structural flaw in diplomacy, as meaningful progress remains vulnerable to flare-ups at the border. As a result, both countries lose economic opportunities and diplomatic goodwill in the region and among global stakeholders.
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While it is evident that the Durand Line is a colonial construct with divisive consequences, its continued politicization has hindered pragmatic policymaking. Neither Pakistan nor Afghanistan can afford prolonged hostility given their intertwined security and economic interests. However, nationalist sentiments on both sides, amplified by historical grievances, prevent rational dialogue. Rather than addressing the issue through international legal channels or mutual recognition of de facto realities, both countries have allowed the dispute to become a tool for domestic political mobilization. This has prolonged the conflict and deepened the mistrust that characterizes their bilateral ties.
In essence, the Durand Line remains the most critical and unresolved issue shaping Pakistan-Afghanistan relations. Rooted in colonial history and sustained by nationalist politics, the dispute has outlived empires and regimes. It has led to strategic realignments, fueled proxy wars, and undermined bilateral cooperation across multiple domains. Without a mutual understanding or third-party facilitation, the border issue will continue to obstruct peace and stability in the region. Therefore, acknowledging historical grievances while working towards realistic and legal solutions is imperative for transforming this fault line into a functional frontier. Only then can Pakistan and Afghanistan hope to build a future free from the shadow of their shared colonial past.
