Why Afghanistan & Pakistan Are Enemies?

The flames of conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan have once again erupted, turning their shared border into a battlefield echoing with artillery and accusation. As the smoke rises from the Durand Line — a boundary that has symbolized division for over a century — both nations stand at a dangerous crossroads. The most recent escalation has claimed dozens of lives, shuttered major crossings like Torkham and Chaman, and brought South Asia to the brink of a deeper regional crisis.

While Pakistan claims it has killed over 200 Taliban or affiliated fighters and captured 19 Afghan border posts, Afghanistan’s officials firmly reject these claims, asserting that the Taliban forces have killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in retaliatory strikes. Independent verification is difficult, but one thing is clear: this is not a border skirmish — it’s a continuation of a long, bitter struggle rooted in history, mistrust, and failed diplomacy.

1. Why This War Started

To understand the recent outbreak of violence, one must return to the deep cracks in Afghanistan-Pakistan relations — a relationship poisoned by border disputes, mutual suspicion, and the ghosts of past wars.

The immediate cause of this war was Pakistan’s violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty through airstrikes in Kabul and Paktika provinces. According to Afghan officials, these strikes killed both fighters and civilians, marking a severe breach of international law. The Taliban government condemned the attacks, calling them an “act of aggression” that would not go unanswered. Soon after, fierce retaliatory operations began across several border points, leading to heavy casualties on both sides.

Pakistan, however, tells a different story. It claims the strikes targeted militants of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP); a group responsible for numerous attacks inside Pakistan — whom Islamabad accuses Afghanistan of sheltering. For Pakistan, these strikes were “defensive actions.” For Afghanistan, they were an invasion.

This difference in perception is not new. Since the 1947 partition of British India, Pakistan and Afghanistan have never shared a peaceful border. The Durand Line, drawn in 1893 between British India and Afghanistan, was never officially recognized by any Afghan government. Afghan leaders have always considered the border illegitimate — an artificial line dividing tribes, families, and cultures.

In the decades that followed, border skirmishes, trade blockades, and mutual political interference became the norm. During the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan (1979-1989), Pakistan hosted millions of Afghan refugees and supported the Mujahideen, many of whom later became part of the Taliban movement. Yet after the Taliban’s 2021 return to power, relations again soured — this time because Pakistan accused Kabul of harboring anti-Pakistani militants.

Ironically, the same movement Pakistan once helped rise has become its most serious security challenge. The TTP (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) shares ideological roots with the Afghan Taliban but operates independently, attacking Pakistani military and civilian targets. Pakistan blames Afghanistan for sheltering them; Afghanistan denies it, arguing that Pakistan’s problems are “homegrown.”

Now, with airstrikes in Afghan provinces and retaliatory operations killing soldiers on both sides, the two nations are closer than ever to a full-scale border war.

2. What’s the Tailored Solution

War has always been the easiest mistake and the hardest lesson. The ongoing conflict serves no winner — it destroys lives, halts trade, and destabilizes an already fragile region. The only viable path forward is a tailored diplomatic solution that respects sovereignty, addresses security concerns, and rebuilds the trust shattered by decades of deceit.

1. Establish a Joint Border Security Commission

Both nations should immediately create a neutral joint border commission, including representatives from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and possibly observers from neutral Muslim countries such as Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. Its duty would be to monitor border activity, investigate incidents like airstrikes, and prevent further escalation through direct communication rather than media propaganda.

2. Stop Airspace Violations and Respect Sovereignty

Diplomacy begins with restraint. Pakistan’s airstrikes in Kabul and Paktika not only violated international law but also ignited Afghan nationalism in a way unseen since the early 2000s. Any dialogue must start with an official acknowledgment that such actions undermine peace. Both countries should sign a non-aggression pact guaranteeing that no military operations will cross borders without mutual consent.

3. Address the TTP Crisis through Intelligence Cooperation

Instead of mutual blame, both sides need intelligence sharing and coordinated action. If Pakistan provides verified evidence of TTP sanctuaries, Afghanistan can take lawful action under international norms. Conversely, Pakistan must end its history of covert support to certain factions within Afghanistan that destabilize Kabul’s authority.

4. Economic Diplomacy over Military Retaliation

Trade can succeed where politics fails. Before this war, border crossings like Torkham facilitated over $1 billion in annual trade. Reopening them with joint management and transparent customs systems would not only rebuild trust but also provide employment and reduce smuggling — one of the root causes of border violence.

5. Religious and Cultural Mediation

Since both countries share deep Islamic and cultural ties, a mediation council composed of respected religious scholars from both sides could help calm tensions. A united Islamic voice for peace, rather than political slogans, can resonate more deeply among tribal and local communities.

6. Involve Regional Diplomacy, Not Foreign Power Politics

This issue must remain within the regional context. Afghanistan and Pakistan should engage the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for mediation instead of inviting Western or rival powers. External interventions often exploit differences rather than heal them. The OIC can play a central role in facilitating dialogue, rebuilding trust, and ensuring that both sides adhere to agreements.

The Historical Reminder

The current war is not born from this week’s headlines — it is an echo of decades of mistrust. From the 1950s to today, the Afghan-Pak border has seen countless confrontations: artillery duels, airstrikes, and diplomatic boycotts. Every time, peace talks are promised but never fulfilled.

Today’s war; triggered by Pakistan’s airstrikes and Afghanistan’s retaliation ; may appear new, but it belongs to the same old story: two neighbors chained by suspicion and divided by a line drawn by foreign hands.

Conclusion

Afghanistan and Pakistan are not natural enemies; they are historical victims of political manipulation, colonial boundaries, and mutual insecurity. Yet, they share language, religion, culture, and kinship deeper than politics.

If leaders on both sides fail to rise above the smoke of guns and propaganda, they will only repeat the mistakes of their predecessors. But if they embrace dialogue, respect sovereignty, and pursue economic and religious diplomacy, they can turn the Durand Line from a wall of fire into a bridge of peace. Peace will not come through victory; it will come through vision. And the time to see that vision is now.