The relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan remain largely frozen. Backchannel diplomacy may be continuing, but cross-border terrorism attributed to the TTP remains the principal obstacle to the resumption of open contacts. Disagreements over girls' education and women's rights continue to divide the Taliban's internal power corridors, while the border has remained closed since October - the longest closure since the 18-month shutdown of the 1960s. TTP and BLA attacks, particularly against civilian and military targets, continue to compound tensions. Meanwhile, border communities on both sides, among the biggest victims of the standoff, are increasingly restless over the loss of livelihoods, trade and businesses.

The Taliban government's fifth anniversary celebrations in Kandahar offered a revealing glimpse into these internal differences. Supreme Leader Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada rejected calls to reverse decrees restricting women's employment and education beyond primary school, insisting that no one - including himself - had the authority to alter what he described as the Islamic Sharia system.

"Our sacred jihad resulted in the defeat and humiliation of US-led occupiers and brought a pure Islamic system to Afghanistan. We will never obey those who are ignorant and demand of us what is contrary to the Sharia. No one, including myself, has the authority to amend the Islamic Sharia system."

Home Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, however, struck a notably different, sobering tone on August 15: "We must respect our people, not impose our views or moods on them…........

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