Pakistan’s Silent Role in Afghanistan’s Wars

Between Borders and Bullets: Pakistan’s Silent Role in Afghanistan’s Wars

The rugged terrain along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border has long been more than just mountains, passes, and valleys. It is a region where national boundaries meet tribal loyalties, where political ideologies travel in the smoke of gunfire, and where the ambitions of states and ideologues spill across invisible lines. In the story of the Afghan wars, Pakistan has not merely been a neighbor—it has been a player, a conduit, a sanctuary, and sometimes a battleground in its own right.

Early Angles: The Durand Line and Pashtun Identity

When the British drew the Durand Line in 1893, it separated Pashtun tribal lands between what would become Afghanistan and British India (later Pakistan). Many Afghans never accepted this boundary as legitimate, fueling sentiments of Pashtun nationalism in Afghanistan, and creating friction with Pakistan in the decades following Partition. These tensions were a seedbed for later conflicts, as actors on both sides perceived strategic and cultural stakes in those borderlands.

The Soviet Invasion: Pakistan as a Frontline State

In December 1979, when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, Pakistan became a frontline state in a proxy war. Refugees flooded across its western border, turning parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan into vast refugee camps. Simultaneously, the Pakistani military, intelligence services, and government became central sponsors and facilitators of Mujahideen groups—helping to channel financial support, arms, training, and safe passage. These relationships would shape the trajectory of both Afghan insurgents and Pakistan’s own domestic politics.

Post-Soviet Collapse: Spillover and Internal Blowback

When Soviet forces withdrew in 1989, Afghanistan descended into civil war. Pakistan's support for certain factions, especially those aligned with its strategic goals, resulted in both gains and instability. The collapse of centralized authority in Afghanistan meant that militant groups could, and did, use Pakistan’s border regions as staging grounds. Meanwhile, unrest, radicalization, and refugee crises reverberated into Pakistani domestic life, especially in frontier zones.

The Taliban and a New Order

By the mid-1990s, the Taliban had emerged as a dominant force in Afghanistan. Their alignment on religious ideology, their need for supplies and crossing routes, and their shared Pashtun roots created a complex relationship with Pakistan. Official denials of support, unofficial ties, and mutual distrust coexisted. Pakistan found itself balancing international pressure (especially from the U.S. and later coalition forces) with domestic concerns about security, identity, and influence.

9/11, the War on Terror, and Pakistan’s Tightrope

The attacks of September 11, 2001, reshaped global politics. The U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, aimed at dismantling al-Qaeda and removing the Taliban from power, placed Pakistan in a pivotal but precarious position. On one hand, Pakistan became a major ally of the U.S., allowing bases and facilitating operations. On the other hand, militant groups within its borders—some with cross-border sympathies—conducted attacks inside Pakistan, triggering military operations, political upheaval, and widespread civilian suffering.

The Aftermath: Fragmentation, Refugees, and an Uncertain Legacy

Decades of conflict have left both Afghanistan and Pakistan scarred. The region continues to face refugee crises, ideological fragmentation, and contested border security. Pakistan’s role has often been criticized: from accusations of backing certain militant groups for geopolitical leverage, to failing to control extremist elements within its territory. But there is no denying that many in Pakistan also bore the brunt of the war’s spillover—through displaced people, violence, economic strain, and social disruption.

Looking Forward: Lessons and Reconciliation

As peace talks, international withdrawal, and changing power balances reshape Afghanistan, Pakistan faces both opportunities and dilemmas. The importance of stable borders, mutual respect of sovereignty, support for refugees, and addressing militant ideology from within remain crucial. For lasting peace, the story must move from confrontation and proxy to cooperation, from shadow wars to transparency, and from silence to shared healing.