Pakistan’s Afghan Strategy : From Strategic Depth to Strategic Ditch

Syllabus:

 GS – 2– India and its relations with Afghanistan , Foreign policy of India

Focus :

The article examines Pakistan’s evolving Afghan strategy, highlighting the challenges posed by the Taliban’s return to power in Kabul. It delves into Pakistan’s support for extremist groups, the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) threat, rising cross-border tensions, and Afghanistan’s refusal to accept the Durand Line. It underscores how Pakistan’s policies have rebounded, creating strategic and security dilemmas.

Pakistan’s Afghan Strategy : From Strategic Depth to Strategic Ditch

Introduction: Pakistan’s Afghan Strategy and Its Fallout

  • Pakistan’s involvement in Afghanistan has been a cornerstone of its security and foreign policy.
  • Initial aim: Create “strategic depth” against India by supporting the Afghan Taliban.
  • Afghanistan has turned into a “strategic ditch,” complicating Pakistan’s security.
  • Taliban’s return to power has intensified regional instability, cross-border terrorism, and ideological extremism.

Rising Terrorism and Security Challenges

  • Statistics on Counter-Terrorism Efforts (2024):
    • Pakistani forces conducted 60,000 intelligence-based operations.
    • 383 security personnel lost their lives; 925 terrorists killed.
  • The Role of the TTP:
    • Alleged safe havens in Afghanistan fuel the TTP’s attacks on Pakistan.
    • TTP and Afghan Taliban share ideological affinities, complicating Pakistan’s position.
  • Retaliatory Airstrikes:
    • Pakistan bombed alleged TTP targets in Afghanistan (December 2024).
    • Afghanistan retaliated, claiming strikes beyond the Durand Line, escalating tensions.

Diplomatic Efforts and Their Shortcomings

  • Pakistan’s special representative for Afghanistan visited Kabul in December 2024.
  • Objective: De-escalate tensions and resolve cross-border issues.
  • Failure: Airstrikes during the visit undermined diplomatic efforts.

Afghanistan’s Response: Challenges over the Durand Line

  • Afghan Taliban refuses to recognize the Durand Line as the legitimate border.
  • Frequent clashes over border fencing fuel mistrust.
  • Afghan Taliban’s tacit endorsement of Pashtun nationalism exacerbates tensions.

Strategic Missteps and Historical Errors

  • Support for Extremist Groups:
    • Pakistan’s historical support for the Afghan Taliban and Haqqani network backfired.
    • Policy aimed at creating an anti-India alliance has instead destabilized the region.
  • Miscalculation of Taliban-TTP Nexus:
    • Assumption: Afghan Taliban would curb TTP activities.
    • Reality: Both share a common ideological foundation.

Economic and Political Implications

  • Cross-border terrorism disrupts Pakistan’s internal stability.
  • Economic challenges compounded by strained relations with Afghanistan.
  • Public demand for retaliatory action increases pressure on Pakistan’s government.

The Pashtunistan Puzzle and Afghan Irredentism

  • No Afghan regime, including the Taliban, accepts the Durand Line.
  • Pakistan faces renewed fears of a “greater Pashtunistan” movement.
  • Afghan Taliban’s refusal to treat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as part of Pakistan fuels these fears.

Seeking International Support: A Policy Contradiction

  • Pakistani officials have sought U.S. assistance, including drone bases, to target militants in Afghanistan.
  • Contradiction: Pakistan earlier criticized U.S. involvement in the region.
  • Suggests a lack of cohesive strategy in addressing the Afghan-TTP challenge.

Conclusion: Lessons for Pakistan’s Security Policy

  • Pakistan’s Afghan policy has failed to achieve its intended objectives.
  • The Taliban’s return has increased regional instability, challenging Pakistan’s security establishment.
  • Need for a recalibrated strategy that addresses internal security and regional cooperation.

Associated Article

https://universalinstitutions.com/three-neighbourhood-questions/

Mains UPSC Question GS 2

Pakistan’s Afghan strategy has evolved from creating “strategic depth” to dealing with a “strategic ditch.” Analyze the impact of the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan on Pakistan’s security and foreign policy. Suggest measures to address these challenges. (250 words).