RASC News Agency: In a recent editorial, Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper examined the mounting tensions between Islamabad and the Taliban regime, asserting that Pakistan cannot indefinitely endure a hostile administration in Afghanistan. The editorial underscores Afghanistan’s strategic significance for Pakistan, emphasizing its landlocked status and reliance on trade and transit. Consequently, Dawn argues that Islamabad must condition its economic cooperation with the Taliban on their decisive action against anti-Pakistani militant groups. The editorial references the recent visit of Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Sadiq Khan, to Kabul, highlighting that the foremost impediment to improved bilateral ties is the Taliban’s reluctance to take concrete measures against terrorist organizations such as Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch separatist factions, which continue to operate from within Afghanistan territory.
Beyond the persistent threat of militancy, Dawn identifies border tensions as another destabilizing factor in bilateral relations. It notes that the Torkham border crossing remained closed for an extended period and was only recently reopened on a limited basis until April 15. Given Afghanistan’s overwhelming dependence on cross-border trade and transit, the newspaper warns that prolonged border closures could have severe economic repercussions for the Taliban-controlled administration. The editorial underscores the fundamental divergence in priorities between the two sides: while Pakistan remains steadfast in prioritizing national security, the Taliban regard trade as an indispensable pillar of their fragile economy. Despite Islamabad’s legitimate security concerns, the Taliban have consistently insisted that political disputes should not impede economic engagement. However, Dawn contends that Pakistan must leverage its trade and transit policies as strategic tools to compel the Taliban to take substantive action against anti-Pakistani militant groups.
Although the Taliban persistently deny the presence of such groups within Afghanistan, Dawn asserts that ground realities suggest otherwise. The editorial concludes by stressing the imperative of sustained diplomatic engagement between Islamabad and Kabul, emphasizing that both nations must remain committed to fostering peace and cooperation. Ultimately, the newspaper warns that Pakistan cannot afford to coexist with a hostile regime on its western frontier, as such a scenario would pose grave security threats. Furthermore, Dawn argues that the Taliban leadership is acutely aware that strained relations with Pakistan could not only jeopardize their economic and transit interests but also undermine their broader aspirations for international legitimacy.
