By Muhammad Mohsin Iqbal
History bears undeniable testimony that Pakistan has stood by Afghanistan through every trial—be it war or peace, turmoil or transition. The bond between the two nations, tied by geography, faith, and centuries of shared heritage, has endured countless tests. Yet, among the many lessons history offers, one truth remains constant; while Pakistan has repeatedly extended its hand in friendship and fraternity, Afghanistan’s internal discord has too often undermined the path to lasting stability.
When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 24 December 1979, it was Pakistan that became the frontline state defending not only its own sovereignty but also the freedom of its Muslim neighbour. Pakistan opened its borders to nearly four million Afghan refugees, offering them shelter, education, and dignity—an unprecedented act of generosity in modern times. Despite its own economic hardships, Pakistan bore this burden with patience and brotherhood, driven by Islamic compassion rather than political gain. The UNHCR has repeatedly described this as one of the largest and longest-running humanitarian operations in history.
Even after the Soviet completed his withdrawal in 15 February 1989, when the world abandoned Afghanistan, Pakistan remained steadfast. It continued to support the Afghan people in rebuilding their war-torn land, facilitating dialogue among rival factions and hosting successive rounds of peace talks. Pakistan’s role was not driven by ambition but by a sincere desire for regional peace—because an unstable Afghanistan has always meant an insecure Pakistan.
Afghanistan’s greatest tragedy, however, lies not only in external aggression but in internal division. During the 1990s, when Afghanistan was consumed by civil war, Pakistan made tireless efforts to bring the warring Afghan factions together. In a symbolic gesture of reconciliation, Pakistan facilitated a meeting of Afghan leaders in Makkah, where they vowed before Allah to end hostilities and restore peace in their homeland. Yet, upon returning home, many of those solemn commitments were broken, and the nation once again slipped into strife. This failure to uphold even agreements made in the holiest of places remains a reflection of Afghanistan’s chronic disunity, where tribal interests and personal ambitions have too often overshadowed the collective good.
The tragic pattern has persisted into the present. Decades later, after the U.S. invasion and the subsequent withdrawal of foreign forces, Pakistan once again demonstrated its commitment to peace by facilitating the Doha Agreement between the Taliban and the United States in 29 February 2020—a landmark accord that paved the way for an end to two decades of bloodshed. Pakistan’s constructive diplomacy was acknowledged globally, including by Washington itself.
Yet despite these efforts, the spirit of cooperation remains elusive. The recent round of Pakistan-Afghanistan talks held in Istanbul, following earlier sessions in Qatar, once again highlighted the stark gap between goodwill and ground realities. Media reports confirm that the Istanbul negotiations ended without a definitive outcome.
This has been revealed through media reports that the discussions—spread over three grueling days and nearly fifty hours—were marked by clear obstruction and a defensive posture from the Afghan side. Mediators from Qatar and Turkey, who had invested considerable diplomatic capital to bridge differences, were visibly taken aback by the Afghan delegation’s uncooperative attitude. On several occasions, members of the Afghan delegation reportedly used provocative language, avoided direct answers, and withdrew from commitments at the last moment.
Pakistani delegates presented time-stamped evidence of cross-border militant movement, including sanctuaries and command links. Instead of addressing the evidence, Afghan representatives resorted to procedural diversions, legalistic excuses, and repeated consultations with Kabul that stalled progress. Even when a draft agreement was finalised thrice during the final session, and the Pakistani delegation pressed the Afghan side to confirm their consent—reminding them that in Islam a commitment made three times is binding—they initially agreed, only to renege after consulting Kabul by phone. The mediators, both Qatari and Turkish, were reportedly shocked, one exclaiming, “May Allah help and forgive these people.”
There is no other opinion on this matter that Indian agents, allegedly operating under the guise of advisors within Kabul’s circles, influenced or pressured Afghan interlocutors to withdraw from commitments reached in Istanbul. Such claims—if true—would suggest a deeper and more troubling dimension to the impasse; that certain external actors are intent upon perpetuating discord between Islamabad and Kabul for their own strategic ends. These accusations, voiced strongly in Pakistani quarters, led many in Islamabad to conclude that elements within the Afghan leadership are being steered by interests inimical to regional stability.
Whether this allegation will be substantiated publicly or remain part of the private diplomatic ledger, its effect has been to deepen mistrust. Yet even amid these grave suspicions, Pakistan’s official posture has been measured. Islamabad has reiterated that it will continue to seek an amicable resolution through dialogue and diplomacy; at the same time, the leadership has made plain that all options remain under consideration if Afghan soil continues to be used as a launchpad for attacks against Pakistani citizens and security forces.
At the same time, Pakistan remains committed to a peaceful, negotiated resolution. Islamabad’s approach is guided not by hostility but by the belief that Afghanistan’s prosperity is intertwined with its own. Both nations share deep ethnic, cultural, and linguistic bonds that transcend political boundaries. From trade routes to water resources, their destinies are inseparable.
The lesson of that Makkah meeting decades ago—and of the recent Istanbul talks—is the same; peace cannot be built upon empty promises or rhetorical gestures. It demands sincerity, unity, and honouring one’s word. Pakistan, despite suffering over $150 billion in economic losses and more than 80,000 lives to terrorism, continues to demonstrate patience, goodwill, and faith in dialogue.
As history once again tests this brotherly relationship, one prayer continues to echo across Pakistan; May Allah bless Afghanistan with wisdom and unity, and may He reward Pakistan for its steadfastness. For peace between these two nations is not merely a regional necessity—it is a sacred obligation rooted in shared faith and destiny.
