Shift in Afghan policy
Publishing date: 27 November 2025
Published in: Pakistan Observer
THERE are clear indications that Pakistan’s Afghan policy has undergone a sea change with the country distancing itself from Afghan Taliban, linking bilateral ties to satisfactory resolution of irritants and making western border as sacrosanct as international borders should. All this is evident from what transpired during the last several months, a number of statements by the top leadership of the country and reiteration of the stance on Tuesday by Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, revelations made by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, media briefing by Director-General, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt. General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry and information shared by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police (IGP) Zulfiqar Hameed with media-persons about terrorist attack on FC Headquarters in Peshawar.
The Defence Minister was quite vocal in explaining the change in the policy declaring Pakistan had lost confidence in the Taliban authorities in Kabul, slamming the Afghan regime for failing to reciprocate Islamabad’s goodwill and acting without discipline or responsibility. He pointed out that Turkiye, China, Qatar and other friendly countries want peace in the region but the Taliban regime is depriving the Afghan people benefits of peace. Referring to repeated cross-border attacks taking place in Pakistan with the full support of Taliban, the Minister said Pakistan had long exercised restraint and hoped for constructive engagement, but those expectations had now diminished. He bluntly remarked “One should hope for good and not write off another until limits are crossed. But now, we are completely writing them off and we do not expect anything good from them”. The situation is unlikely to change as instead of taking measures to address Pakistan’s genuine security concerns, the Kabul Government, following the footsteps of the Indian government, is depending entirely on falsehood by indulging in venomous propaganda against Pakistan. The latest statement of Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid was part of this anti-Pakistan posturing as he accused Pakistan of carrying out strikes in Khost, Kunar and Paktika provinces, which he alleged claimed the lives of 10 people. His allegations were promptly and strongly rejected by the military spokesperson who said that Pakistan conducts all its attacks openly and never targets civilians, clarifying that the country follows clear principles in its responses. He rightly pointed out that Pakistan’s policy is against terrorism and not against Afghan people. This is not a mere statement as Pakistan’s Afghan policy confirmed this approach throughout in the form of political and diplomatic support extended to Afghanistan during difficult times, generous hospitality to millions of refugees for decades and grant of liberal Afghan Transit Trade Agreement (ATTA) despite the fact that it inflicted large-scale harm on Pakistan’s economic and fiscal interests.
Pakistan also launched a consistent and effective campaign against all terrorist outfits including those viewed as major threats by Kabul in the past but now the Taliban Government is not responding to calls for similar action against TTP elements attacking Pakistan from Afghan soil. This forced Pakistan to carry out operation against terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan but this trend continues unabated as confirmed by the latest terrorist incidents. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar revealed that the Islamabad suicide attack was plotted by the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Noor Wali Mehsud from Afghanistan. Similarly, the IGP of KP said that initial findings indicate the three militants who attacked the Federal Constabulary (FC) Headquarters in Peshawar were likely Afghan nationals. In this backdrop, how normalization can take place and the continuing tension will surely harm economic and security interests of both the countries. The ISPR chief made it clear that there could be no talks with the Afghan regime unless it conducts verifiable action against terrorists’ safe havens and hideouts on its soil, adding that there could be no trade until that happens. Suspension of trade, strict vigil on cross border movements and repatriation of all Afghans living in Pakistan (except those living on valid legal documents) show the period of free rides and free meals are over and the two neighbours will have to dedicate themselves to peaceful co-existence and international law.