The western border of Pakistan, a region marked by rugged terrain and complex tribal dynamics, is a locus of dual challenges of terrorism and diplomacy that deeply influence the nation’s stability and international standing. The interplay of terrorism and diplomacy in this fraught landscape demands nuanced comprehension and multifaceted strategies. As Pakistan navigates these dual imperatives, the western border remains a critical frontier where the outcomes of counter-terrorism measures and diplomatic efforts will indelibly shape the region’s future trajectory. The western border of Pakistan, primarily adjoining Afghanistan and Iran has been a hotbed of geopolitical turbulence and conflict and has a historical context of pre-partition time.

When the British Empire in India was partitioned, Pakistan assumed all responsibility for adhering to all international treaties, which the British Indian Government had signed on or agreed upon including, naturally, the Durand Line Agreement with Afghanistan and Goldsmid Line border agreement with Iran. Internationally, Pakistan-Afghanistan border has been described as one the most volatile and dangerous places in the world mostly because of the presence of terrorist safe heavens and lax Governmental control. Illegal activities of different types like smuggling of weapons, narcotics, vehicles, timber and electronic goods occur on daily basis.  Likewise, Pak-Iran border is a significant area of concern due to various security challenges including terrorism.

Pakistan’s relationship with Taliban has nose-dived since the group took authority in Afghanistan. Pakistan has witnessed an increase in terrorist activities in the recent years consecutively marked by an uptick recorded each year from 2021. Chaman border gets frequently closed due to exchange of fire between the two sides which effects trade and travel. According to a recent report of Centre for Security Studies, in 2023 Pakistan witnessed almost 3000 causalities from 789 terror-related incidents and over 90% of the fatalities and 84% of the terror attacks were recorded in two provinces which border Afghanistan, Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Most of these attacks were carried out by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch militant groups. These setbacks in the relationship faced another blow this year due to cross border attacks and suicide car bombing that killed five Chinese engineers. The victims were working on a China-funded hydropower project in northwestern Pakistan. Islamic Revolutionary Guard of Iran have also launched cross-border strikes into Pakistan’s Baluchistan province. According to Iran, it targeted “bases” of terrorist group Jaish al-Adl. The strike prompted condemnation from Pakistan, which further retaliated by conducting its own strikes in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan province, targeting “hideouts” used by Baloch militant groups. Since 1980s, this was the first airstrike by any country’s warplanes on Iranian soil.

Last year, in November, Pakistan decided not to continue advocating for Taliban’s case at international level, which it had been doing since 2021. On the other hand, Taliban have escalated hostility towards Pakistan through hostile statements and showing unwillingness to budge on the Taliban issue.  In addition, they have frequently denied Pakistan’s allegations regarding the presence of TTP fighters and claim that it is the internal matter of Pakistan. Diplomatic ties have ruptured furthermore because of Pakistan’s decision to expel Afghans. Sirajuddin Haqqani, one of the Taliban leaders and acting interior minister, voiced criticism on this decision. More recently, tensions around the contentious Durand Line seem to have been reignited by the foreign minister of Afghanistan, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai. He stated that, “we have never recognized Durand and will never recognize it, today half of Afghanistan is separated and is on the other side of the Durand Line.” Pakistan’s recent air strikes in March prompted response of Taliban security forces to target Pakistani military installations on the border in retaliation. A high level Pakistani delegation met with Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities this week for decisive action against militants including recent suicide car bombing. Recent air strikes between Pakistan and Iran also effected the bilateral diplomatic relations. Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Iranian foreign miniter, promptly visited Islamabad for parleys to deescalate the matter. Cross border militancy by violent groups like Baluchistan Liberation Army in Pakistan and Jaish al-Adl in Iran remain the root cause of the crisis. This has created suspicion between the neighboring states.

Persistent insurgency and militant activities have created security challenges at the western border. Radar coverage is not as much effective as the eastern border of Pakistan. Fencing of Durand Line also faced protests from Kabul. International consensus on a unified approach to the Taliban is a way forward in dealing with Taliban by engaging dialogue. The decision to use military option and expelling 1.7 million Afghans should be reevaluated. With the persistent threat posed by cross-border militancy, Iran and Pakistan should prioritize joint counter-terrorism efforts by cooperating in intelligence operation and coordinated strikes against militant hideouts. Through such diplomatic efforts Pakistan can tackle the challenge of terrorism at its western border.