Islamabad, Pakistan — History stands witness that Pakistan–Afghanistan relations have always extended beyond borders, rooted in cultural, strategic, and historical complexity. Between 1803 and 1920, when Muslims from the subcontinent sought passage through Afghan lands, they were denied. Yet, decades later, it was Pakistan that opened its doors to millions of Afghan refugees, reversing the course of history itself.
Decades of Shelter and Shared Struggle
Over the past 50 years, nearly 5.5 million Afghan nationals have entered Pakistan. This figure, roughly 13.75% of Afghanistan’s total population, represents an extraordinary humanitarian burden. According to UNHCR, there are currently 1.7 million registered and 1.3 million unregistered Afghan refugees living across Pakistan.
Pakistan has borne the economic weight of its presence alone, spending over $30 billion in five decades on accommodation, healthcare, and education, while international assistance covered only a fraction of these costs.
Education as a Bridge of Brotherhood
Since 1979, Pakistan has provided educational opportunities to over 50,000 Afghan students, the largest Afghan alumni network in the world. Another 15,000 Afghans graduated from religious seminaries. Between 2021 and 2023, Pakistan offered over 600 full scholarships for Afghan youth.
Projects like Allama Iqbal Block at Kabul University and the partnership with Khyber Medical University symbolize Pakistan’s sustained investment in Afghanistan’s intellectual growth. These were not acts of charity but part of a strategic vision to promote long-term regional stability.
Healthcare Beyond Borders
Pakistan’s humanitarian assistance also extended into the medical sphere. Islamabad funded the construction of three major hospitals in Afghanistan, i.e., Dasht-e-Barchi Hospital in Kabul, Nangarhar Teaching Hospital, and Logar Regional Hospital, all providing free medical care to thousands.
Between 2021 and 2024, Pakistan supplied 500 metric tons of medicines, 200 metric tons of food aid, and critical medical equipment to Afghanistan purely on humanitarian grounds, not political leverage.
The Blame Game and Security Reality
Despite this decades-long support, Afghan leadership continues to accuse Pakistan of interference. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has repeatedly alleged that “Pakistan is destabilizing Afghanistan.” However, the UN Monitoring Team’s 2023 report contradicts this claim.
According to the report, TTP attacks from Afghan soil rose by 110%, from 573 in 2021 to 1,203 in 2023. The report also revealed that Afghanistan’s General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) provided safe havens, travel permits, and weapon licenses to TTP leaders. Over 1,200 Pakistani security personnel have lost their lives since 2021, showing that the threat remains cross-border.
Kabul’s Contradictions: Human Rights vs. Hardline Policies
The Afghan government often advocates sovereignty and human rights at international forums, yet at home, it bans women from education and employment. The UN confirms Afghanistan remains the only country in the world where women are barred from secondary education and public service. Meanwhile, Kabul continues to use the refugee issue as a political weapon, turning humanitarian challenges into diplomatic pressure.
Pakistan’s Clear Stance
Islamabad’s policy remains anchored in state consensus, ensuring national security, sovereignty, and regional peace. Pakistan’s disagreement is not with the Afghan people, but with those who exploit chaos to mask their failures.
A senior Pakistani official noted: “Peace cannot be built on rhetoric alone; it demands verifiable action.”
A Lesson from History
The story of Pakistan–Afghanistan relations teaches that true neighborliness is not about shared borders, but shared burdens. Pakistan opened its doors for five decades, offering shelter, education, and hope.
Now, it is Afghanistan’s turn to respond not with accusations, but with accountability. Promises are easy; peace requires effort. If Kabul chooses confrontation over cooperation, the shockwaves will not stop at the Durand Line; they will echo across the region.
