History bears undeniable testimony that Pakistan has stood by Afghanistan through every trial—be it war or peace, turmoil or transition. The bond between the two nations, tied by geography, faith, and shared heritage, has endured countless tests. Yet one truth remains constant: while Pakistan has extended its hand in friendship, Afghanistan’s internal discord has repeatedly undermined the path to lasting stability.
When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan on December 24, 1979, Pakistan became the frontline state defending not only its sovereignty but also the freedom of its Muslim neighbor. Pakistan opened its borders to nearly four million Afghan refugees, offering shelter, education, and dignity—an unprecedented act of generosity acknowledged globally. The UNHCR still calls it one of the largest humanitarian operations in history.
Even after the Soviet withdrawal on February 15, 1989, when the world turned away, Pakistan remained steadfast, facilitating dialogue among rival Afghan factions and hosting peace talks. Its actions were guided not by political ambition but by the belief that an unstable Afghanistan means an insecure Pakistan.
Lessons from History and Makkah
During the 1990s civil war, Pakistan made tireless efforts to unite warring Afghan factions. In a symbolic gesture, Islamabad facilitated a reconciliation meeting in Makkah, where Afghan leaders vowed before Allah to end hostilities. Yet, those promises soon crumbled, revealing Afghanistan’s chronic disunity—where tribal interests and personal ambitions often outweighed the collective good.
From Doha to Istanbul: A Repeated Pattern
Decades later, after the U.S. withdrawal, Pakistan again showed diplomatic maturity by facilitating the Doha Agreement between the Taliban and the United States on February 29, 2020—a landmark accord to end two decades of war. Pakistan’s constructive diplomacy was recognized by Washington and the global community.
However, the spirit of cooperation remains elusive. The recent Pakistan-Afghanistan talks in Istanbul, following earlier sessions in Qatar, ended without progress. Media reports indicate the Afghan delegation’s defensive posture and lack of commitment stalled the dialogue despite Pakistan’s goodwill.
According to diplomatic sources, Pakistan presented time-stamped evidence of cross-border militancy, but the Afghan side avoided direct answers and backtracked after consulting Kabul. Mediators from Qatar and Turkey were reportedly stunned by the Afghan team’s inconsistent behavior—one even remarked, “May Allah help and forgive these people.”
External Interference and the Trust Deficit
Pakistani officials believe Indian advisors within Kabul’s circles influenced the Afghan delegation’s stance in Istanbul. While this allegation remains unverified, it reflects the deep mistrust that continues to define the Pakistan-Afghanistan relationship. For many in Islamabad, it reinforces the view that external actors seek to sabotage regional stability for their own strategic gains.
Even amid such suspicions, Pakistan’s response has remained measured and diplomatic. Islamabad continues to advocate peaceful dialogue while maintaining that it will not tolerate Afghan soil being used for terror attacks against its citizens.
A Shared Destiny
Despite the challenges, Pakistan’s policy toward Afghanistan remains anchored in brotherhood and regional peace. Both nations share ethnic, cultural, and linguistic bonds that transcend borders. Their prosperity, trade routes, and water resources are interdependent.
The lesson from the Makkah meeting and the Istanbul talks is clear: peace requires sincerity and the honoring of commitments. Pakistan has lost over 80,000 lives and suffered $150 billion in economic losses due to terrorism, yet it continues to choose dialogue over division.
As history once again tests this brotherly relationship, Pakistan’s message is rooted in faith and resilience:
May Allah bless Afghanistan with unity and guide both nations toward peace.
Because peace across the Durand Line is not merely a regional necessity—it is a sacred obligation born of shared faith and destiny.
Muhammad Mohsin Iqbal serves as the Director General (Research) at the National Assembly Secretariat, Parliament House, Islamabad. With extensive experience in legislative research and policy analysis,
