For centuries, Pakistan and Afghanistan have shared more than just a border. They not only share the same frontier but they have inherited common historical, cultural and religious traditions. From the ancient trade routes of the Silk Road to the shared heritage of Pashtun tribes, these neighbors have always been intertwined. Yet, in recent decades, their relationship has been defined more by tension than trust, more by suspicion than solidarity.
Now, as Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi prepares to visit Islamabad this week, there’s a cautious sense that both sides might finally be ready for a fresh start. This isn’t just another diplomatic meeting, it’s a test of whether these two nations can move beyond old grievances and build something better.
This visit holds critical importance. Pakistan identifies the TTP militants known as Fitna-e-Khawarij operating from Afghan territory as its top security threat, with over 400 attacks linked to them since 2022. Yet there are glimmers of progress. Kabul appears to be shifting its stance, increasingly acknowledging these militants as the primary obstacle to bilateral peace.
As Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi arrives in Islamabad, Pakistan and Afghanistan face a mix of urgent challenges and promising opportunities. At the top of the agenda is reducing cross-border tension, driven by more than 400 terror attacks since 2022 linked to Fitna-e-Khawarij safe havens in Afghanistan. Next is the growing possibility of progress, as Kabul begins to recognize these militants as the main barrier to peace and the need to deny them Afghan territory. The third priority is economic, with Pakistan’s exports to Afghanistan rising by 38.68% in FY 2024-25, both sides see a chance to strengthen trade and transit ties, especially through the crucial Central Asian corridor. Security, economics, and long-standing people-to-people bonds all converge in this high-stakes visit offering a path forward, if both sides choose to act.
Trade may offer the most practical starting point for cooperation. Despite political tensions, Pakistan’s exports to Afghanistan surged by nearly 40% last year. This is a sign that traders on both sides continue to push forward, knowing their livelihoods depend on it. The visit is expected to prioritize the revival of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Coordination Authority (APTTA) and harmonization of customs procedures, two critical steps to reduce border friction and keep commerce flowing. If Muttaqi and Pakistani leaders can deliver on these fronts, they could unlock meaningful economic relief for ordinary people, proving that shared interests can prevail even in difficult times.
Pakistan has shouldered an immense burden by hosting over a million Afghan refugees since the Taliban’s return, a humanitarian gesture that has come at significant economic and security costs. The issue of undocumented Afghan nationals in Pakistan post-August 2021 remains particularly sensitive, with discussions now aiming to find practical, humane solutions that balance legitimate security concerns with basic human dignity. While Pakistan has consistently demonstrated compassion toward our Afghan brothers and sisters, we cannot ignore the troubling reality of militant elements attempting to infiltrate refugee populations. Islamabad rightly demands verifiable safeguards to prevent terrorists from exploiting these flows while maintaining its principled commitment to humane treatment.
The path forward requires Afghanistan to take responsibility for its citizens’ welfare and security, working transparently with Pakistan to establish a dignified, verifiable repatriation process that serves both nations’ interests. After decades of unmatched generosity, Pakistan deserves reciprocal cooperation from Kabul to finally resolve this challenge with both wisdom and compassion.
The writer is MS Research Scholar at IIUI, a freelance content writer and a columnist.
