The Afghan Taliban, since their return to power in 2021, have repeatedly propagated the narrative that Pakistan is aligned against them and is actively interfering in Afghanistan. These claims, however, are fundamentally misdirected. Pakistan has consistently maintained that it holds no hostility toward the Afghan people or ordinary Taliban members. Instead, Islamabad’s concerns are strictly linked to the decisions and conduct of the Taliban regime itself, particularly its support and protection of militant groups that directly target Pakistan.
Central to understanding this dynamic is the traditional Pashtun code of conduct, Pashtunwali, which forms the moral and social framework for the Pashtun community across Afghanistan and Pakistan. One of its key principles is that any individual or group that provides shelter or support to an enemy of another is, by extension, considered an enemy. Applying this principle, the Afghan Taliban’s sheltering of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other extremist networks has created a direct foundation for hostility with Pakistan. The TTP has long been responsible for orchestrating high-profile attacks inside Pakistan, targeting civilians, law enforcement, and security installations. Despite repeated Pakistani requests for action against these groups, safe havens inside Afghan territory have allowed them to continue their campaigns with relative impunity.
This complicity has tangible consequences. Since the Taliban’s return, Pakistan has witnessed a marked increase in cross-border and domestic terror incidents linked to groups operating from Afghan soil. Recent months alone have seen high-profile attacks on security personnel, CPEC projects, and Chinese nationals working in Pakistan, reflecting the wider regional implications of Afghanistan’s unregulated militant networks. Analysts argue that the Taliban’s unwillingness or inability to curb these groups is not only a security threat to Pakistan but also undermines regional stability and economic development.
Pakistan’s position remains consistent and principled. Islamabad stresses that its concerns are with the Taliban government’s policies and decisions, not with the Afghan population. Pakistan has historically provided humanitarian assistance, facilitated dialogue, and supported peace initiatives within Afghanistan, demonstrating its commitment to Afghan welfare. The distinction is critical: Pakistan opposes the acts of militancy and cross-border terrorism, not the Afghan people themselves.
Furthermore, the Pashtunwali framework underscores the moral responsibility of the Afghan Taliban to act against groups threatening neighboring communities. By failing to honor this principle, the Taliban have eroded their moral legitimacy in the eyes of the broader Pashtun and regional communities. This moral argument, when combined with the strategic and security dimensions, strengthens Pakistan’s stance that cooperation with the Afghan regime is contingent upon tangible action against militants.
Regional and international observers have echoed Pakistan’s concerns. The presence of TTP fighters and other extremist groups in Afghan border areas has drawn attention from China, Central Asian states, and multilateral security organizations, all of whom recognize the threat these networks pose to broader regional security. Pakistan, therefore, continues to advocate for practical, enforceable measures from Kabul to eliminate terrorist sanctuaries and ensure that Afghan territory is not used to stage attacks against its neighbors.
In conclusion, the rising incidents of terrorism in Pakistan cannot be divorced from the behavior of the Afghan Taliban government. While Pakistan has no enmity with the Afghan people, the regime’s protection of militant groups directly threatens Pakistani lives and interests. Pashtunwali provides a moral lens through which the Taliban’s actions can be judged, highlighting their responsibility to prevent harm to neighboring communities. Pakistan’s consistent call for accountability, combined with ongoing regional dialogue, underscores its commitment to peace, stability, and development in the region, while maintaining a clear distinction between the Afghan state’s actions and the Afghan populace.
