While a proactive military approach can address immediate threats, fostering cooperation offers a more sustainable solution for long-term goals. However, this cooperation must be contingent on safeguarding Pakistan’s national interests. Pakistan has vulnerable and porous shared western borders with Afghanistan and Iran. The issues range from transnational terrorism, drug trafficking, and border skirmishes to infiltration, terror financing and human trafficking. These challenges demand a potent security strategy for regional stability. While Pakistan aims to avoid any armed conflict by emphasising collaboration, the government remains vigilant and prepared to take decisive action when necessary.

The escalation of tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan in March 2024 serves as a stark reminder of the spillover effect of Afghanistan’s instability. Terrorist groups like the TTP find safe havens across the border, launching attacks into Pakistan and fueling insecurity. While military operations may offer temporary tactical gains, the root causes of this instability lie in the support provided by the Afghan state to the non-state actors. The Taliban refute claims of any support for TTP, a stance that Pakistan views as a form of political manipulation and deception. This attitude causes a hindrance in the collaborative efforts for peace, as Afghanistan is not ready to take action against non-state actors carrying out terror activities in Pakistan.

Despite a shared 2,700 km border, Pakistan and Afghanistan’s goals clash. TTP sanctuaries in Afghanistan and Pakistan’s perceived Taliban missteps block cooperation. Pakistan’s internal political instability paves the way for the rise of insurgent groups that seek assistance from Afghanistan. However, Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan sharing the same faith and religious sentiments provide a significant potential for joint initiatives. Pakistan also relies on Afghanistan’s connectivity for trade development, including a transnational route with Central Asia. Pakistan cannot afford two hostile borders when it has already strained relations with India.

A collaborative approach with Afghanistan, and potentially Iran, is the key to avoiding security challenges on the western borders for Pakistan. Afghanistan’s reliance on Pakistan for access to trade routes and international legitimacy underscores the complexities of their relationship. Sharing intelligence, conducting joint border patrols and coordinating efforts to counter drug trafficking can bolster border security. This approach distributes the burden, utilises regional expertise and avoids unilateral actions that might escalate tensions. However, Pakistan insists on the complete eradication of TTP as a prerequisite for any settlement between the two nations.

Deep-rooted ethnic divisions, particularly rising Pashtun and Baloch nationalism, and religious and cultural values across borders complicate efforts for security. These divisions often disproportionately favour one group over another, promotion resentment and hindering long-term cooperation. Investing in development projects along the border can tackle the root causes like poverty, lack of governance, and ethnic strife that fuel instability.

Pakistan should actively engage with Afghanistan and Iran in bilateral and multilateral forums to address shared security concerns. Prioritising diplomacy, intelligence-driven operations against terrorist groups and confidence-building measures can lay the foundation for long-term cooperation. Poverty and lack of economic opportunities often fuel the appeal of militant ideologies. Promoting bilateral development projects of shared interests that create jobs and improve livelihoods in border regions can weaken the support base for terrorist groups and create a constituency for peace.

Even though the attempts for collaboration may prove successful, a strong military presence on the border acts as a crucial deterrent against potential aggressors. Recent attacks by TTP in North Waziristan underscore the need for a well-trained and equipped force ready to respond swiftly and decisively to counter-terrorism operations, border breaches, or any other immediate security threats. Investment in physical security infrastructure like advanced surveillance technology, well-equipped border checkpoints, and secure communication networks is essential for an effective response. Building trust and cooperation with local communities and addressing their concerns can provide a valuable source of intelligence and readiness for potential threats.

The considerable length of Pakistan’s porous border with Afghanistan and Iran creates a vulnerability, forcing the nation to allocate significant portions of its budget to security measures. This expenditure strains Pakistan’s already stressed economy. The country’s precarious fiscal situation, domestic instability, and tense relations with India make a two-front war scenario untenable. Therefore, Pakistan must prioritise fostering cooperation with its western neighbours. This approach embodies the most strategically sound and economically prudent course of action. Through peace and stability, every country will empower the other to pursue its national objectives more effectively.

To ensure the security of its western borders, Pakistan must strive to achieve domestic political stability and intensify diplomatic efforts. It is essential to engage in peaceful negotiations to prevent further violence and resolve outstanding issues like cross-border terrorism. A power vacuum would only invite intervention from actors with competing interests. The Pakistani military is also fully capable of carrying out precision-based intelligence operations to eliminate any threats to its national security. Therefore, the region should act responsibly to avoid violence and conflict. At last, ensuring stable western borders serves the best interests of all stakeholders involved.

resentment and hindering long-term cooperation. Investing in development projects along the border can tackle the root causes like poverty, lack of governance, and ethnic strife that fuel instability.

Pakistan should actively engage with Afghanistan and Iran in bilateral and multilateral forums to address shared security concerns. Prioritising diplomacy, intelligence-driven operations against terrorist groups and confidence-building measures can lay the foundation for long-term cooperation. Poverty and lack of economic opportunities often fuel the appeal of militant ideologies. Promoting bilateral development projects of shared interests that create jobs and improve livelihoods in border regions can weaken the support base for terrorist groups and create a constituency for peace.

Even though the attempts for collaboration may prove successful, a strong military presence on the border acts as a crucial deterrent against potential aggressors. Recent attacks by TTP in North Waziristan underscore the need for a well-trained and equipped force ready to respond swiftly and decisively to counter-terrorism operations, border breaches, or any other immediate security threats. Investment in physical security infrastructure like advanced surveillance technology, well-equipped border checkpoints, and secure communication networks is essential for an effective response. Building trust and cooperation with local communities and addressing their concerns can provide a valuable source of intelligence and readiness for potential threats.

The considerable length of Pakistan’s porous border with Afghanistan and Iran creates a vulnerability, forcing the nation to allocate significant portions of its budget to security measures. This expenditure strains Pakistan’s already stressed economy. The country’s precarious fiscal situation, domestic instability, and tense relations with India make a two-front war scenario untenable. Therefore, Pakistan must prioritise fostering cooperation with its western neighbours. This approach embodies the most strategically sound and economically prudent course of action. Through peace and stability, every country will empower the other to pursue its national objectives more effectively.

To ensure the security of its western borders, Pakistan must strive to achieve domestic political stability and intensify diplomatic efforts. It is essential to engage in peaceful negotiations to prevent further violence and resolve outstanding issues like cross-border terrorism. A power vacuum would only invite intervention from actors with competing interests. The Pakistani military is also fully capable of carrying out precision-based intelligence operations to eliminate any threats to its national security. Therefore, the region should act responsibly to avoid violence and conflict. At last, ensuring stable western borders serves the best interests of all stakeholders involve.