The latest exchange of fire between Pakistani and Afghan forces at the Chaman border is disturbing. Reports say the firing began on Friday around 10 pm and continued till late at night, leaving civilians injured, including a woman.
Each side blames the other. Afghan sources accuse Pakistan of starting the clash, while Pakistani officials say Afghan mortar shells landed in Badani. While the blame game goes on, one thing is certain: such clashes only push both countries further away from peace.
Ceasefire lines are meant to protect life and keep tensions under control. When they are broken, it harms trust and kills people. Sadly, this incident is not the first of its kind at the Chaman border. Each incident adds fresh anger, fear and confusion. People on both sides of the border suffer, while militants and smugglers benefit from disorder.
It is concerning that there has been little official response from the state, aside from a post on social media by the Prime Minister’s spokesperson for foreign media, Mosharraf Zaidi. This silence raises more questions than answers. While the guns may have fallen silent for now, what is desperately needed is sincere leadership from both sides. Diplomacy should never fall by the wayside.
In light of the limited progress thus far, it is essential that quiet back-channel diplomacy resumes immediately, encompassing talks, mutual confidence-building measures, and agreed investigations into the recent violence. Qatar, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia have previously played mediators between the two sides. But without the right pressure and direction, even friendly mediation grows stale.
Pakistan has legitimate concerns over cross-border militant activities and smuggling, and it is high time Afghanistan responds with more than denials. The ongoing support or shelter for terrorists only damages Afghanistan’s own reputation.
Peace cannot be achieved through violence. Like it or not, it is forged through cooperation; bit by bit, one brick at a time. While diplomacy may take its sweet time, it remains the only viable pathway.
