On the sidelines of the 79th UN General Assembly session in New York on 27th September 2024, the 3rd Ministerial Meeting of the Quadrilateral Group—comprising Pakistan, China, Iran, and Russia—was held in Uzbekistan. Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, participated in the meeting, where he echoed the collective concerns over the terrorism threat emerging from Afghan territory. Despite these challenges, Asif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening trade, commerce, and investment with Afghanistan. He also called for the release of Afghanistan’s frozen assets, the restoration of its banking system, and the development of connectivity projects to support economic stability in the region. This is indeed a reflection of Pakistan’s proactive stance in balancing security concerns with a commitment to regional economic stability and humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan.
Similarly, in an interview with a US broadcaster, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Mr. Munir Akram, reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to preserving and strengthening its relations with Afghanistan, despite existing differences. He emphasized Pakistan’s consistent support for engagement with Afghanistan highlighting that the Afghan people should not bear the consequences of their government’s missteps. Such articulated commitments from Pakistan’s state officials reflect a sentiment that goes beyond political rhetoric; it speaks to the families and communities who share a common heritage and face similar struggles.
Given today’s geopolitical landscape, it’s no longer just about diplomacy; it’s about the real, everyday lives of people who have long navigated the struggles of living in border regions. Despite the borders that divide, the deep-rooted histories and shared futures of Pakistan and Afghanistan remind us that hope lies in working together. Pakistan and Afghanistan are like siblings bound by fate. It’s not a matter of one needing the other—it’s about recognizing that peace and progress are a compulsion ad not a choice between them.
However, the road to peace is anything but straightforward. Afghanistan’s security situation remains volatile, with the resurgence of terrorist groups like ISIS-K and the remnants of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) casting long shadows over the region. For Pakistan and its partners in the Quadrilateral Group, the challenge lies in not just talking about peace, but actively ensuring it. This means finding a delicate balance between confronting immediate security threats and keeping the doors open for trade, cooperation, and, ultimately, hope.
The complexity of this task can’t be understated. While economic growth and regional connectivity projects offer a vision of a more stable future, those plans are at risk if the security environment isn’t stabilized. Pakistan’s approach reflects this understanding—it’s not just about securing borders and cracking down on militancy; it’s about ensuring that commerce, education, and livelihoods have room to flourish in a region so often overshadowed by conflict. It’s a reminder that even amid the hardest conversations, the long-term focus must remain on building pathways to prosperity.
But international hesitation poses another dilemma. The freezing of Afghanistan’s assets by global powers has left millions of Afghans trapped in a deteriorating economic landscape. Pakistan’s calls for releasing those funds and restoring Afghanistan’s banking system aren’t just bureaucratic appeals; they are pleas grounded in the real human consequences of continued inaction. Every day those assets remain inaccessible, Afghan families are pushed further into poverty, edging closer to desperation.
Despite Pakistan’s ongoing drive to deport illegal immigrants, the country still remains home to over 3 million Afghan refugees—people who have sought safety and shelter within its borders for decades. This is a testament to Pakistan’s long-standing commitment to its neighbors, even as it grapples with its own economic and social challenges. The burden of this hospitality cannot be ignored, especially as the strain on resources continues to grow with the possibility of more displaced Afghans seeking refuge.
The human impact of this crisis extends beyond borders. Pakistan, already home to millions of Afghan refugees, faces the possibility of more people seeking sanctuary if conditions in Afghanistan worsen. For a country that has long opened its doors to its neighbors, the strain of another refugee wave could have lasting effects, both socially and economically. This is why Pakistan’s push for stability in Afghanistan isn’t just strategic—it’s deeply personal, tied to the very fabric of communities that have long coexisted across the border.
In the end, Pakistan’s commitment to Afghanistan reflects a deep understanding of their shared futures. While security concerns will always be at the forefront, the drive for economic cooperation and the focus on humanitarian relief offer a blueprint for a better way forward. The road may be difficult, but by working together, Pakistan and Afghanistan can move toward a future where peace isn’t just a possibility—it’s a reality.
