IT is said that the ungrateful first target their benefactors and regrettably, the Taliban regime of Afghanistan has proven this true.
When the world turned away, Pakistan stood firmly with Afghanistan—hosting six million refugees since 1979 out of pure humanitarian spirit, without signing the 1951 Refugee Convention or the 1967 Protocol. Even today, second and third generations of Afghan refugees reside in Pakistan. Islamabad built hospitals, bridges and highways in Afghanistan, extended cooperation in electricity and telecom sectors and offered four thousand scholarships along with technical and financial assistance in agriculture, banking, railways, military and diplomacy. Every day, up to 10,000 Afghans receive medical treatment in Pakistan, while 1,000 visas are issued daily. Pakistan remains a major trade partner and benefactor of Afghanistan, yet in return, it faces terrorism, border attacks, anti-Pakistan conspiracies under Indian influence and hateful rhetoric emanating from Afghan soil—an unfortunate betrayal of the brotherhood that once united both nations.
Afghanistan is not merely a neighbouring country for Pakistan; both share deep historical, civilizational, cultural and Islamic ideological ties. I wish to ask Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, who represents the Islamic Emirate: what about his respected teacher, Mullah Omar, the destroyer of idols who shattered the Buddha statues in Bamiyan? Today, the descendants of those idol-breakers sit in the laps of those they once called infidels and polytheists. They have buried the ideology of “Afghan remains! The highlands remain!” while embracing those who once oppressed their faith.
A question arises for the Afghan nation: have they forgotten their proud history? Ahmed Shah Durrani, Mahmud of Ghazni and Shahab-ud-Din Ghori were heroes of the Muslim Ummah who fought valiantly against India’s oppressors. Durrani’s victories, including the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761, remain legendary. Yet today, Afghan heroes are defamed in Bollywood films like Panipat, Kabul Express and Tor Baz, produced when Kabul shared deep ties with India. It is deeply tragic that the successors of idol-breakers now embrace idol-worshippers, turning against Pakistan—created on the principle of “There is no god but Allah”—under the influence of a Hindu regime. The Taliban government that once appeared independent in 2021 has, by 2025, revealed its anti-Pakistan stance. Is it justifiable to abandon faith and history to align with those who oppose Islamic ideals for political or material gain?
The Pakistan Army has acted under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, protecting its sovereignty against terrorism. Pakistan’s fight is not with the Afghan people but with terrorists. These elements are neither Afghan nor Pakistani, nor are they linked to Islam—they are terrorists and their facilitators are even greater ones. The Afghan people must now decide whether they wish to stand with terrorists’ sponsors or with truth and peace. When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, where was India? It supported the Soviet Union. When the United States invaded, India supported Washington. Afghans must recognize who their friends are and who their foes have always been.
Pakistan has sacrificed over 80,000 civilian and security personnel lives in the war against terrorism over two decades. Since 2021 alone, Pakistan has faced over 10,000 terrorist incidents. Despite this, Pakistan tirelessly pursued dialogue for peace. The Taliban spokesman, however, has declared that their agreement was with the United States—not with Pakistan—ignoring that Pakistan played a vital role in the Doha peace accord, globally acknowledged for advancing peace efforts. Pakistan made multiple attempts to promote stability and prevent cross-border incursions. The Foreign Minister visited Kabul four times; the Defense Minister and Director of ISI twice. The Special Representative and Secretary made five visits each, while the National Security Advisor visited once. There have been eight Joint Coordination Committee meetings, 225 border flag meetings, 836 protest notes and 13 demarches issued. Yet, Kabul’s response remains disheartening. Expressions of goodwill from Afghanistan have been rare, while those shedding innocent Pakistani blood find refuge on its soil.
Although Washington withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021, its interference continues, aiming to regain strategic dominance from bases like Bagram to pressure both China and Russia. America’s geopolitical manoeuvres have again exposed the region to instability. The anti-Pakistan tone evident during Afghan Foreign Minister Muttaqi’s visit to India, coupled with the subsequent border attacks between October 11 and 12, cannot be dismissed as coincidence. These developments reveal a deeper conspiracy—Afghanistan’s leadership appears ensnared in India’s deceitful machinations.
Supported by India, Afghan-linked terrorist groups have intensified attacks along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border—targeting Angoor Ada, Bajaur, Kurram, Dera Ismail Khan, Baram Chah and Chaghai in Balochistan. The Pakistan Army’s firm response was a necessity, reaffirming that if the Taliban’s interim government harbours any misapprehension, it must urgently reassess its conduct. The United States and its allies remain wary of Pakistan’s strategic projects, especially the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which promises regional connectivity and prosperity. To sabotage it, India has woven an intricate web of influence in Afghanistan. Through Afghan bureaucracy and intelligence operatives sympathetic to Indian designs, regional peace is being deliberately undermined.
Afghan soil continues to be exploited by banned organizations despite Pakistan’s repeated warnings and the provision of evidence. The Kabul government must realize that tolerating or supporting such groups will push the entire region toward renewed chaos. If Afghanistan’s rulers fail to correct their course and resist foreign manipulation, they risk isolating their nation once again. Pakistan’s patience, rooted in brotherhood and goodwill, should not be mistaken for weakness. For over four decades, Pakistan has been a steadfast friend to Afghanistan, sacrificing lives, resources and diplomatic capital for its stability. Yet today, Afghanistan appears caught in India’s conspiracy—betraying not Pakistan, but its own history, faith and future.
—The writer is Chairman, Tehrik Jawanan Pakistan.
