Afghanistan vs. Pakistan

2001 - ongoing by 2011

Core issue: Pakistan and Afghanistan's dispute is centered on the latter's
contestation of the Durand Line as the legitimate border between the countries

Type of conflict ending: Conflict ongoing by 2011

The territorial conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan dates back to colonial times, when the Durand Line was established by the British as border demarcation between both countries in 1893. Since the creation of an independent Pakistan, the conflict further evolved based on diverging regional interests, as well as the ideology of those in power. Despite these and other complicating factors, the inability to agree on border territory remained a core issue between the two nations.

The conflict between the two states commenced shortly after Pakistan gained independence in 1947. Afghanistan asserted that the Durand Line no longer held any legitimacy, as the original agreement had been concluded between British-controlled India and Afghanistan and that there should be no obligation of continuity for the Pakistani government. This was heavily influenced by the fact that the Durand Line cut across the ethnic lines of the Pashtun and Bulach. Afghanistan supported the unification of these groups, to form their own independent Pashtunistan, or to simply separate from Pakistan and unify under Afghani rule. This led to increasing tensions between the two governments, and in 1950, this resulted in small skirmishes along the border. Tensions remained high between the two governments until 1960, when it transitioned into direct conflict. In 1961, Kabul severed diplomatic ties with Pakistan.

This relationship worsened with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, as it internationalized the border dispute. During this time, the United States and other international backers supported Pakistan. Material assistance such as aid and weapons were flown into Pakistan designated for insurgent fighters. The Soviet occupation also increased tensions as refugees fleeing from Afghanistan arrived in Pakistan. By the end of the Soviet occupation, there were an estimated 3.15 million Afghani refugees living in Pakistan. Radical fighters amidst the refugees used Pakistan as a safe zone and refugee camps along the border further increased tensions between both countries.

In the 1990s, Pakistan worked with the Taliban, against the Afghani government. Pakistan was concerned with Afghanistan's positive relations with India. Although the Taliban were backed by Pakistan, they also refused Pakistan's requests to recognize the Durand Line when they came to power in 1996. The Taliban declined the border based on ideological grounds as they advocated that there should be no borders between Muslim nations.

The situation changed in 2001 with the involvement of the United States. When the Taliban refused to surrender Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda, the US became militarily engaged in Afghanistan. The increase of aid and military personnel in the region helped remove the Taliban from power and created a new Afghani government. The US-backed Karzai government has had strained relations with Pakistan as it refused to recognize the legitimacy of the Durand Line and maintained close relations with India. As a consequence, both parties have been in a frozen conflict since 2001.

In the 2000s, there has been international pressure to resolve the issue of the Durand Line without the use of violence. In 2010, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the two countries, which created transportation and trade links, and it was hoped that increased cooperation would help to resolve the territorial dispute through peaceful thawing. However, as of 2011, the conflict over the Durand Line had not been resolved.

Sources

Borthakur, A., 2017. "Afghan Refugees: The Impact on Pakistan", Asian Affairs, 48 (3), 488-509.

Hussain, S. and M.I. Latif, 2012. "Issues and Challenges in Pakistan-Afghanistan Relations after 9/11", South Asian Studies (1026-678X), 27 (1), 89-99.

Khan, A. and Wagner, C., 2013. "The changing character of the Durand Line", Strategic Studies, 32 (4 & 1), 19-32.

Khattak, A.R.K., 2017. "Reforms to The Federally Administered Area of Pakistan (Fata) - An Unresolved Problem", Asian Affairs, 48 (3), 529-542.

Omrani, B., 2009. "The Durand Line: History and Problems of The Afghan-Pakistan Border", Asian Affairs, 40 (2), 177-195.

Omrani, B., 2018. "The Durand Line: Analysis of the Legal Status of the Disputed Afghanistan-Pakistan Frontier", International & Comparative Law Review, 26 (1), 75-125.

Rubin, B.R., 2007. "Saving Afghanistan", Foreign Affairs, 86 (1), 57-78.