It has been 75 years since independence and Pakistan still does not have a border policy. The recent National Security Policy 2022-2026 formulated by the government does not state clear objectives for border security and territorial integrity. The insecure borders invite smuggling, human trafficking, terrorism and many other problems that Pakistan has been facing for years.

Territorial integrity is one of the core components of a country’s sovereignty that cannot be compromised. That is why border security policy is needed to protect the borders from any illegal movement of people, drugs, weapons, etc. The protected borders help in safeguarding the land and people from any external interference such as terrorist infiltration, smuggling, human trafficking, etc. Developed countries such as the United States secure their borders through unified border agreements with their neighbors, Mexico and Canada, to manage and control all cross-border activities.

Pakistan shares its border with four countries: India in the East, Iran to the West, Afghanistan in the Northwest and China in the Northeast. Lacking a proper border management system, the country is deeply troubled by the security issues at the border, particularly with Afghanistan. The unmonitored activity of the people and transport at the leaky borders makes it easy for anyone to infiltrate, especially terrorists.

One of the major problems is the unregulated flow of refugees from Afghanistan, which has significantly increased after the takeover of the Afghan Taliban government. Pakistan has faced the Afghan refugee crisis for decades. Around 1.3 million registered people flee Afghanistan and took shelter in Pakistan and there are millions who are residing in the country illegally. Leaving their belongings in their birthplace, the men brought their families to provide a ‘safe’ future for them.

The smuggling of weapons is another one of the other major problems. Chaman is known for its porous borders through which weapons are supplied in Balochistan. Grenades, anti-aircraft guns and rocket launchers are a few of the many found with the local smugglers. These weapons are easily accessible to terrorists from illegal markets around the country. The main supply of these weapons is from Afghanistan. This requires immediate attention after the growing number of attacks by terrorist groups in Pakistan.

The smuggling of narcotics from Afghanistan also happens through the borders, mainly from KPK and Balochistan. In fact, Pakistan is believed to have become the ‘transit hub’ for smuggling narcotics around the world. Mainly, meth and opiate are supplied from Torkhom to the illegal local markets of Pakistan, which then reach Karachi and Gwadar port for supply in the international markets. These drugs are supplied to different regions of Pakistan, which have made it easy for people to access it.

Cross-border terrorism is one of the most concerning issues between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Terrorist attacks have increased after the Taliban came into power in Afghanistan. The constant assistance provided by the Afghan Taliban to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has resulted in frequent terrorist attacks in Pakistan. Attacks on security forces on the border have also increased resulting in the deaths of soldiers. TTP has managed to gather local extremist groups as well and is actively conducting attacks around the country. Recently, TTP ended the ceasefire agreement with the government as well which has become alarming.

Several initiatives have been taken by Pakistan to monitor cross-border activities with Afghanistan, however, little interest has been shown from the Afghan side. Afghanistan has still not officially recognized the Durand Line as the international border with Pakistan, let alone planning to form a unified border policy.

Border security management is a bilateral process that requires to be done by both sides to manage cross-border activities. It is void until both countries coordinate and form a unified-border policy to tackle the security issues. Efforts have been made since 2017 to manage the borders by barring, fencing, putting up cameras, and appointing security forces in the area yet the terrorists manage to cross the border and attack.

So what is missing?

A proper border policy with a passive defense approach. Since Afghanistan is a landlocked country, its trade is not going to stop which takes place from Pakistan. Forming regulatory policies to monitor the activities can help prevent these problems. A border policy with the military’s collaboration to identify, plan and implement the policy is required. Furthermore, another possible solution to this is to establish a security zone at the border with a system that operates under the Pakistani army that will monitor all the ingoing and outgoing movements.

Insecure borders along with economic and political fluctuations, unemployment, extremism, lawlessness and illiteracy are major problems being faced by Pakistan altogether. The new Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, will face challenges from the border, especially with the rise of TTP. To tackle the border challenges, it has become necessary to form a unified border policy.

Different countries have adopted various border management strategies to secure it. Taking the example of India, which shares its border with nine countries, has Border Security Forces to survey the border area, has floodlights and a check and balance at borders. Having such a large border area and so many neighbors, it faces difficulty to manage it but is taking initiatives to improve border security policy with its neighbors.

As non-interested as the Afghan government is, Pakistan still requires a synchronized border policy with Afghanistan. Until and unless the Afghan government cooperates, Pakistan is likely to face issues at the borders.