Bilal Yousaf

MS Political Science

Pak-Afghan Relations in Post 9/11 Era:

A Case Study of Durand Line Security Outlines

Brief History Of Pak-afghan Relations

First Phase (1947-1979) From Pakistan’s

Independence to Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan

Phase Two (1979 to 1989) Soviet Invasion of

Afghanistan

Phase Three (1989 to 1994) Civil War

Phase Four (1994 to 2001) the Rise and fall of

Taliban

Relations in Post 9/11 Era/ Fight against Terrorism

Introduction

Pakistan and Afghanistan are immediate neighbors andhaving more than two thousands kilometers common borderformally known as Durand Line.

From the time of Pakistan’s birth, Afghanistan hasmaintained an attitude of hostile neighbor.

Afghanistan antagonistic attitude towards Pakistan werebecause of issues of Durand Line and Pashtunistan.

The international border between Pakistan and Afghanistanhas been a source of serious tension.

Afghanistan opposed entry of Pakistan into the UnitedNations.

Shared border region has never come under the true controlof any government.

First Phase (1947-1979) ) From Pakistan’s

Independence to Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan• From 1947 to 1979, the issue related

to Durand Line and Pashtunistan

formed the root of Pak-Afghan

relation.

• Durand Line

Border between Afghanistan and

Pakistan.

Established in 1893 by

agreement between Sir Mortimer

Durand, a British diplomat and

civil servant of British India, and

Abdur Rahman Khan, the

Afghan Amir, to fix the limit of

their respective spheres of

influence and improve

diplomatic relations and trade.

Pashtunistan Issue

• The Greater Pashtunistan issue

is closely linked with the

Durand Line.

• Dividing the Pashtuns between

Pakistan and Afghanistan.

• Afghanistan claim some areas

in the north west of Pakistan.

• Pakistan assumed that

Afghanistan will be a natural

Friend, give up its unrealistic

territorial claims and maintain

friendly cordial and mutually

beneficial relations.

Phase Two (1979 to 1989) Soviet Invasion of

Afghanistan

• Pakistan became the front-line State in the containment of the

Soviet threat. The Soviet was forced to withdraw by the anti

communist Mujahedeen forces supported by the United States,

Saudi Arabia, and others countries.

• Confronting a super power was an offensive and a risky

policy. Because any direct confrontation with the Soviet Union

may have led to a war breaking out between Pakistan and the

Soviet Union.

• Pakistan play an important role to bring conflict to an end.

• Geneva Accord.

Phase Three (1989 to 1994) Civil War

• Najibullah’s Regime.

• Najibullah resigned in April 1992 and created a

power vacuum.

• Interim government based on April 1992 Peshawar

Accord.

• State-Society relationship having completely broken

down. There was no central rule, no mechanism for

exercising state power, and no Security.

• Reactionary movement emerged from Kandahar,

They called themselves the Taliban

Phase Four (1994 to 2001) the Rise and fall

of Taliban• In 1994 when Taliban Regime emerged in Afghanistan, got

political recognition from Pakistan side.

• Within three months Taliban had taken control of twelve

provinces under the leadership of Mullah Omar.

• In 2000, about 90% of Afghanistan was under Taliban rule and

they got hold of 27 out of 29 provinces.

• Taliban who became rulers of Afghanistan with Pakistani

support and received Pakistan’s support till 9/11 in the face of

global opposition could not take the risk of publically

accepting the Durand Line.

• In the post 9/11 Situation issue of Durand Line has become the

root of tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Relations in Post 9/11 Era/ Fight against

Terrorism

• The event of 9/11 changed Pakistan policy of supportingTaliban politically and diplomatically.

• Pakistan pursued anti Taliban policy and joined globalwar against terrorism.

• American General Colin Powell made a phone call toPresident Musharraf and said “either you are with us oragainst us”

• The tribal areas became a safe haven for foreign militantgroups and served as a base for al-Qaeda and AfghanTaliban, who use the leaky border to attack Westernforces in Afghanistan.

• Afghan President Hamid Karzai said about Durand

Line

"A line of hatred that raised a wall between the

two brothers.“

• The trust deficit widened further with each passing

day and president Karzai, once considered to be pro-

Pakistan, started blaming Pakistan for supporting

cross border terrorism.

Solution

• Both states must secure there Border and

illegal Infiltrations.

• Culture exchange and movement of relatives

on both side easily can solve this issue on

ground level.

• A peaceful, mediated dialogue is needed,

“dispute needs to be settled by the ballot not

the bullet”.

Conclusion• The Durand Line is the only Afghan border

demarked through bilateral understanding withits ex-neighbor, and yet the only border thatAfghanistan is not willing to recognize. Underinternational law and the international legalregime, Afghanistan’s objections to the DurandLine are unlikely to find any significantsupport.

• Among the factors responsible for expansionof the dispute on the Durand Line is the lack ofinformation available to the common Afghan.