Pakistan’s recent border clashes with Afghanistan stem from a deeply felt betrayal of its extensive diplomatic, financial, and humanitarian support. Following the 2021 Taliban takeover, Pakistan actively championed Afghanistan globally by maintaining its Kabul embassy, assisting evacuations, and lobbying for the unfreezing of $9 billion in Afghan assets.

In return, Islamabad expected Kabul to prevent cross-border terrorism, a hope shattered by persistent attacks. Demonstrating extraordinary restraint, Pakistan exhausted every peaceful channel. It dispatched top-tier delegations, including prominent religious scholars, tribal jirgas, and high-level security chiefs, alongside executing hundreds of border meetings and formal protests.

Furthermore, Pakistan incentivised cooperation through trade concessions like the Early Harvest Programme. Even amidst severe escalations, Islamabad consistently engaged in ceasefires and talks mediated by Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and China, maintaining fair demands from Kabul to dismantle banned TTP and BLA sanctuaries, designate the TTP as terrorists, and........

© Daily Times