Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, Pakistan has persistently sought peaceful avenues to stabilize its western border and promote regional security. Through sustained dialogue, diplomatic engagement, and high-profile efforts such as the Doha talks, Islamabad demonstrated a commitment to fostering cooperation and resolving conflicts through political settlement.
However, despite these sincere overtures, the Taliban administration has yet to exhibit the qualities of a responsible state actor, leaving Pakistan grappling with persistent threats emanating from Afghan soil. This ongoing challenge underscores a critical principle in international relations: a government must act as a sovereign state, honoring its responsibilities to its neighbors and the global community if it aspires to legitimacy and recognition.
The recent briefing by Pakistan’s Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, provided a sobering account of the current state of affairs. His remarks starkly outlined Afghanistan’s failure to control terrorist elements operating within its borders, while simultaneously accusing Pakistan of aggression without credible evidence, claims dismissed by Islamabad as part of a calculated propaganda campaign.
The statistics shared were telling: Pakistan has conducted over 67,000 counterterrorism operations this year alone, eliminating nearly 200 militants linked to Afghan sanctuaries, all while enduring the tragic loss of over 600 security personnel. Such figures not only illustrate the scale of Pakistan’s sacrifice but also highlight the urgent need for Kabul to assume its duties seriously. The DG ISPR’s pointed statement, “The Taliban government must act like a state, not a non-state actor,” captures the essence of this predicament. Without responsible governance, Afghanistan risks remaining a breeding ground for militancy rather than a partner for peace.
The complexities along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border have been further aggravated by the Taliban’s apparent unwillingness or inability to rein in militant groups such as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), whose attacks on Pakistani soil have surged since 2021. Islamabad has long struggled with the misperception that a division exists between “good Taliban” and “bad Taliban,” a notion shattered by the persistent violence linked to these proxies.
Afghan officials have even brazenly threatened Pakistan and claimed to harbor thousands of militants poised for cross-border attacks. Pakistan’s security establishment has been unequivocal in its stance: terrorism, regardless of ideological or ethnic backgrounds, will be confronted decisively. Moreover, DG ISPR Chaudhry highlighted the nexus between terrorism and political crime flourishing in the region, further complicating efforts for lasting peace. To break this dangerous cycle, practical cooperation and verifiable actions from Kabul are indispensable. Mere rhetoric cannot substitute for tangible commitment.
Domestically, Pakistan continues to balance a delicate act of combating terrorism while safeguarding its democratic and legal institutions. The transparent handling of internal matters, such as the court-martial of Lt Gen (r) Faiz Hamid, illustrates Pakistan’s emphasis on accountability within its ranks, countering misinformation and ensuring public trust. Simultaneously, the government has taken pragmatic steps at the border, including closures to curtail smuggling, human trafficking, and the infiltration of militants.
The deportation of illegal Afghan nationals and the introduction of streamlined documentation regimes reflect Islamabad’s desire to regulate cross-border movement responsibly while prioritizing national security. Pakistan’s approach remains clear: peace is preferred, but never at the expense of sovereignty or safety. The nation’s patience is not infinite, and goodwill will no longer be one-sided.
If the Taliban truly aspire to earn legitimacy both regionally and internationally, they must internalize the demands of statehood. Acting as a responsible government entails enforcing law and order, dismantling terrorist networks, and upholding commitments to international norms. Such conduct would not only reduce the security burden on Pakistan but also pave the way for Afghanistan’s socio-economic development and regional integration.
It would send a powerful message that the Taliban seek to govern not merely through ideology or force but with the discipline and responsibility expected of any sovereign state. Until then, Afghanistan remains trapped in a liminal space seen by many as a haven for militants rather than a constructive partner. The consequences of this failure extend beyond borders, threatening the stability of an entire region.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry’s candid briefing serves as a wake-up call to both Kabul and the international community. It emphasizes that the path to lasting peace and cooperation lies in concrete, verifiable actions rather than empty assurances. Pakistan’s steadfastness in pursuing dialogue, even after repeated provocations, demonstrates a commitment to peace that is both pragmatic and principled. Yet, such engagement demands reciprocity.
A responsible Afghan government, embodying true statehood, is essential for transforming a history of mistrust into a future of mutual security and prosperity. Only then can the long-suffering people of the region hope for a sustained peace that transcends rhetoric and conflict.
