PAKISTAN-Afghanistan relations have remained at the lowest ebb since the beginning of 2026. Despite the serious efforts of the friendly states, Islamabad and Kabul have failed to bridge their differences because the latter is not prepared to change its policy of harboring terrorist groups and assisting them through financial and weaponry support. Pakistan’s Defense Ninister described the situation as one of “open war” with Afghanistan. Indeed, the growing mistrust between neighbouring states is neither in the interests of Afghans nor of Pakistanis.

The main cause of the deplorable situation between Pakistan and Afghanistan is the terrorist outfits affiliated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Baloch Liberation Army, Majeed Brigade and the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), whose close affiliation with the de-facto Taliban regime and sanctuaries in Afghanistan have worsened relations. Moreover, India has constituted close relations with the Afghan Taliban by reopening its embassy in Kabul in 2022. India’s presence in Afghanistan is disadvantageous for Pakistan because it has been using Afghanistan as its proxy. The anti-Pakistan militant groups residing in Afghanistan receive financial and material support from India to conduct terrorism in Pakistan.

Afghan Taliban regime received the drone........

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