Editorial
The recent tensions between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban have revealed a deeper fault line that goes far beyond security or militancy. It is increasingly clear that Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is no longer just a militant proxy operating from Afghan soil; it has become part of a broader Afghan nationalist narrative that rejects the Durand Line altogether.
For the Taliban regime, refusing to recognize the border is not only a political statement but a tool of legitimacy. By invoking “Afghan nationalism,” Kabul rallies all ethnic groups—Pashtuns, Tajiks, Uzbeks, and others—under one banner, portraying itself as the defender of Afghan sovereignty against Pakistan. This rhetoric helps the regime mask its internal weaknesses and maintain popular support inside Afghanistan.
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Pakistan must approach this challenge calmly and strategically. History offers perspective: if Afghanistan claims Ahmad Shah Abdali’s empire as its heritage, then Pakistan could equally cite the Mughal or Ranjit Singh eras when power extended to Kabul. Border control and influence have shifted for centuries; modern states cannot be built on historical conquests.
Rather than reacting defensively, Pakistan should build a global narrative grounded in international law and regional stability. The goal must be to counter Afghan nationalism with diplomacy, development, and regional engagement, not emotion. Managing the Afghan question requires vision, restraint, and confidence in Pakistan’s historical legitimacy and federal strength.
