Border Tensions Escalate: Pak-Afghan Relations' Colonial Imprint
On Monday, following Pakistani air strikes by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on Afghan territory, which resulted in the deaths of eight Afghan citizens, Afghan forces retaliated by reportedly targeting Pakistani military positions along the disputed Durand Line border with heavy weapons.
SputnikTensions on the Pakistan-Afghan border have increased since the rise of the Taliban* government in 2021. Islamabad claims that militant groups regularly launch attacks from Afghanistan.
The longstanding
issue of the Durand Line, a border demarcated by the
British colonial power in 1893, has resurfaced. The border, which is not widely recognised by many Afghans on either side, remains a point of contention between the two countries.
In response to Monday's air strikes, Taliban representative Zabihullah Mujahid accused Pakistani aircraft of bombing civilian homes in two Afghan provinces, Khost and Paktika, near the border with Pakistan, causing casualties among women and children. The Afghan defence ministry said its forces had retaliated by targeting Pakistani military positions along the disputed border.
However, the Pakistani air force claims to have targeted TTP** hideouts in these Afghan regions, linking them to terrorist activities in Pakistan. Despite Pakistan's calls for action against these groups, the Taliban government's response has been limited.
"The border spat that took place recently was because the Afghan government has failed to stop the use of their territory for launching terrorist attacks inside Pakistani territory," Brigadier Dr. Tughral Yamin (R), a foreign affairs analyst, Professor, former Dean of the school of politics, told Sputnik India.
Colonial Legacy: Durand Line Conundrum
The Pakistan-Afghan border, which runs along the British colonial-era Durand Line, has been at the centre of rising tensions between Islamabad and the Taliban, with attacks increasing since the Taliban came to power in
Kabul.
"The Erstwhile Durand Line, a colonial relic established in 1893, serves as a poignant symbol of the region's troubled past. Its arbitrary division of Pashtun lands sowed the seeds of discontent that continue to germinate to this day," Salman Javed, Director General of the Pak-Afghan Youth Forum & political analyst, told Sputnik India.
"The Taliban's rhetoric, infused with Pashtun sub-nationalism, casts Pakistan as a buffer state of erstwhile British imperial designs, igniting sentiments of resentment and defiance. This narrative not only perpetuates distrust but also fuels the insurgency, with militants invoking historical 'legacy' to justify their actions," Javed said.
Historically, the legacy of
British colonial power has had a lasting impact
on regions such as Kashmir and the Durand Line. Established in 1893 by British diplomat Mortimer Durand and Afghan Emir Abdur Rahman Khan, the DL was designed to demarcate the boundaries between Afghanistan and the British Indian Empire. This demarcation was intended to define spheres of influence, improve diplomatic relations and promote trade.
"The Afghan Taliban's strategic partnership with TTP militants underscores the enduring legacy of colonialism in shaping contemporary conflicts. By providing sanctuary to TTP fighters, the Taliban not only challenges Pakistan's sovereignty but also perpetuates a narrative of resistance against perceived foreign interference," Salman Javed said.
The Durand Line strategically positions Afghanistan as a buffer zone between British and Russian interests. Therefore,
the British derived this line against Afghan interests by using Afghanistan as a buffer state against
Russia.
However, Afghan leaders and people refuse to acknowledge the Durand Line because of its colonial origins and continue to oppose its validity.
He further added, "This symbiotic relationship between a certain historical 'legacy' and present-day militant activities creates a volatile cocktail, threatening regional stability and hindering efforts for reconciliation."
"The so-called Durand Line is an internationally accepted border that Pakistan inherited at the time of independence. The stance of the government of Pakistan is that it is the Pakistan-Afghan border. Amir Abdur Rahman, the Afghan ruler, accepted it as the border in November 1893. There have been minor modifications to this border even after our independence, with mutual consent. There is no legal basis to contest the border as a colonial legacy now," Brigadier Dr. Tughral Yamin (R) & expert opined.
Implications of Durand Line Conflict
The conflict over the border has had far-reaching consequences. Since Pakistan's independence, relations with Afghanistan have been strained, with ongoing tensions and occasional hostilities over the border dispute. Afghanistan was also the first country not to recognise Pakistan and voted against its admission to the
UN.
"The enduring resonance of colonial-era narratives and Pashtun sub-nationalism within the Afghan Taliban's ideology highlights the intricate interplay between history and contemporary conflicts. Until these deep-rooted narratives are confronted and resolved through dialogue and mutual understanding, the specter of conflict will continue to haunt the region, hindering prospects for lasting peace and stability," the expert said.
Addressing the historical baggage of the former Durand Line, which is now the international border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, is not just an exercise in reconciliation, but a crucial step in building a future free from the shackles of the past," the expert concluded.
The presence of a significant Afghan population in Pakistan further complicates the situation. The rift disrupts the socio-cultural fabric of both states and regional harmony, trade and economic ties, and fuels proxy wars through terrorist groups such as the TTP and IS-K.
On Friday, however, Afghanistan's acting ambassador to Pakistan, Sardar Ahmed Shakeeb, held talks with Pakistan's special envoy to Afghanistan, Asif Durrani, in a bid to defuse tensions following Pakistan's counter-terrorism operation against TTP and HGBG militants in Afghanistan.