Afghanistan Under Taliban Rule: A Shift in Islamabad’s Policy

Abstract

The current study aimed to focus on Pakistan-Afghanistan relations and their ups and downs during the Taliban regime. There are a number of episodes in Pakistan’s foreign policy with regard to Afghanistan’s relations. Pakistan’s foreign policy experienced many changes with respect to its relations with Afghanistan. Pakistan has always tried to find a friendly government in Afghanistan. There are several reasons why Islamabad wants a favorable and friendly regime in Kabul. These factors include the issue of Pukhtunistan or the Durand Line, Indian influence, access to Central Asian Republics (CARs), and Pakistan’s strategic depth policy. Pakistan’s relations with the Afghan Taliban were very close and friendly under the 1996 government. However, the current Taliban rule in Afghanistan did not receive as much support from Pakistan as was in their previous one. The Taliban recaptured Kabul in August 2021 following the withdrawal of the NATO and US-led coalition from Afghanistan, but Pakistan has not recognized their government officially. This study is being conducted to find out the causes of this major shift in Islamabad towards Taliban rule in Kabul. A field survey was conducted to ask the people about the current situation of Pak-Afghan relations under Taliban rule. Most of the respondents responded that, as there are many challenges for Pakistan caused by the current Afghan scenario, Pakistan’s concerns are primarily focused on these challenges right now. The resurgence of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), cross-border firing, the issue of Afghan refugees, and cross-border terrorism are currently big challenges for Pakistan. Islamabad, from time to time, approached Kabul for the settlement of such issues. The Afghan Taliban blames Pakistan for their killings due to Pakistan’s joining the global war on terror and its alliance with the United States in Afghanistan. Pakistan, on the other hand, blames the Afghan Taliban for the provision of safe heavens to Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other anti-state actors who are involved in bloody attacks on Pakistan. These claims and counterclaims led to and still lead to mistrust for both parties (Pakistani officials and the Afghan Taliban). KEYWORDS: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Foreign Relations, Interdependency, Afghan Taliban, Terrorism, Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).