Pakistan-Afghanistan Border Issues and Changing Regional Dynamics of South Asia

Abstract

Pakistan-Afghanistan border issue is turning out to be the central issue of peace and security in the recent times. Pakistan, which supported the Afghan Taliban right from the 1990s up to the post-US withdrawal, is facing a dual challenge of the resurgence of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a terrorist group responsible for killing scores of Pakistani civilians, army and security personnel and political leaders that has the full support of Afghan Taliban and fragile border situation that has resulted into border skirmishes and exchange of threats from both the sides. Afghanistan’s refusal to the Durand Line Agreement, which was accepted by Pakistan after its birth, has serious implications for Pakistan’s Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunwala provinces. Pakistan miscalculated the Taliban’s take and the current situation in Afghanistan is resulting into the rise of violent extremism, terrorism, temporary shutting down of borders and a serious threat to the regional stability. Taliban’s soft approach towards India and resettling the ties has put Pakistan in a very uncomfortable and nervous situation. The falling economy of Pakistan and the domestic and regional challenges not only concern Pakistan but the region as a whole as it can change the whole dynamics of south Asian politics. The paper will critically analyze the theme