The recent deterioration in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations demands urgent attention from both governments and civil society. As neighbours with shared history, borders and people-to-people ties, instability on one side inevitably spills over to the other. The primary casualties of rising tensions are ordinary citizens. Traders lose markets, families are separated at borders and cross-border communities face insecurity.
Security Concerns and Public Confrontation
While security concerns are legitimate for both states, addressing them through public confrontation undermines the trust needed for long-term cooperation. What is required is structured dialogue on three fronts: coordinated border management to curb illicit movement, intelligence-sharing to address militant threats and the facilitation of legal trade to stabilise local economies.
Interdependence of Stability
Afghanistan’s stability and Pakistan’s security are interdependent. Neither can be achieved in isolation. I urge policymakers to prioritise quiet diplomacy and back-channel engagement over public blame. Dawn has always provided space for reasoned debate, and I hope this letter contributes to that tradition.
Saad Rafique rejects claims of PML-N rout in GB polls WAHEED KAMAL, Balochistan.
