Surprisingly, Pakistan’s western border has been volatile since the installation of the Taliban government in Kabul in 2021. Pakistan had expected that after decades of instability and fighting, a new era of cooperation and regional connectivity would begin after the withdrawal of NATO forces. Unfortunately, this remained a pipe dream. Earlier, Pakistan had played a great role in dislodging Soviet forces from Afghanistan. Even after NATO intervention post 9/11, Pakistan continued to facilitate the Afghan Taliban by accommodating their families on its soil, often bearing the brunt of international accusations.

Some keen observers of Afghanistan had apprehended that after the departure of US/NATO forces, the Afghan Taliban would be enthused with new confidence and may try to export their ideology to Pakistan, its neighboring tribal areas in particular. Their apprehensions were not without basis. But Pakistan had moved on and was not ready to accept a retrogressive interpretation of religion and system based on tribal culture. Pakistan is an inclusive democracy trying to afford equal opportunities to its citizens, irrespective of gender and religious affiliation. And no nation has a right to impose its ideology on others.

Earlier, many believed that the Afghan Taliban and their Pakistani counterparts were different in terms of their objectives. The erstwhile Taliban leader Mullah Umar used to say that what happened in the neighboring country was none of the Afghan Taliban’s concern. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was generally perceived in Pakistan as an aberration that could be mainstreamed with the passage of time. However, those hopes turned out to be false. It appears now that the Afghan and Pakistani versions of the Taliban are two sides of the same coin. 

Insurgency in the Pakistani districts bordering Afghanistan is two decades old. Pakistan’s armed forces through their professionalism and dedication have overwhelmed the TTP a number of times. TTP’s retrogressive agenda was generally rejected by the local population. For example, their objective of keeping women deprived of modern education, was quite unpopular in the general public. Pakistan’s female population is participative in government and private sector jobs, a reality abhorred by the Taliban. They want to see Pakistan in general and the border areas in particular as the mirror image of present-day Afghanistan. The militant attacks against Pakistan’s defence personnel has amplified in recent months, resulting in scores of casualties. 

Pakistan’s patience has been tested to its limits. Pakistan tried both bilateral and regional forums to bring home to the Kabul government the futility of its policies. There is a broad regional consensus now that Kabul’s policies are detrimental to peace and stability. The most recent Afghanistan attack on several border posts was the last straw that broke the camel’s back. Islamabad’s retaliation was massive as it reportedly captured 21 Afghan border posts and killed scores of Taliban fighters according to Pakistan. 

Thanks to Saudi Arabia’s diplomacy, supported by Qatar, Pakistan-Afghan clashes halted quickly. The peace, even though tentative, should be welcomed. Clashes between two Muslim neighboring countries with centuries-old ties, are a sad spectacle. Many now hope Saudi Arabia will continue working on a permanent peace in the greater interests of the Muslim world. Our region needs peace and stability for its development and prosperity, and the poor people of Afghanistan deserve some respite.