Afghan Taliban's stubbornness or India's proxy? — How long will Pakistan's patience last?
Historical Background:
The world now knows very well that no pure Islamic government has been established in Afghanistan, which can be called a caliphate. In fact, there is a government there in the name of Islam by a few families who are fighting for their own interests. Women's rights are still very limited, and the mindset is still reminiscent of the Stone Age.
The sad thing is that the Afghans whom Pakistan gave a place in its homes for years and provided them with food, shelter, employment and citizenship—the same people—became opponents of Pakistan as soon as they went back. The country that gave them blind trust, considering them Muslim brothers against Russia and NATO forces, is today involved in terrorist acts in Pakistan.
Now the difference between "good Taliban" and "bad Taliban" has also disappeared. This is the worst example of salt theft and forgetfulness of kindness, the likes of which are rarely found in history. English proverb:
“Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.”
(i.e., “Do not bite the hand that feeds you.”)
It is said:
“Ingratitude is treason to mankind.” — James Thomson
The relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan has always revolved around contradictions, misunderstandings and opportunism. Geographically, the two countries are neighbors and religiously and culturally close societies. But there has always been a “gap of trust” between them—a gap that has never been fully filled.
Immediately after the formation of Pakistan in 1947, Kabul voted against Pakistan’s admission to the United Nations. That moment became the first rift in relations between the two countries. Later, in the 1980s, Pakistan sheltered millions of refugees in the Afghan jihad against Soviet forces and provided financial and military support, but at the same time, weapons, extremism and armed groups also spread across the border.
After 2001, when the Taliban government was overthrown, Pakistan cooperated with the international community, but in return, it itself fell victim to terrorism. This was the decade in which organizations like the "TTP"—whose roots were found across the border—were born.
According to experts, all these incidents point to a common problem—lack of trust. As renowned diplomatic expert Dr. Hassan Askari Rizvi says:
“Pakistan’s problem with Afghanistan is not political; it is psychological. Both look at each other with suspicion, and this suspicion is the root of every crisis.
Istanbul talks: A new story of failure
In October 2025, four-day talks were held between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban in the calm diplomatic atmosphere of Istanbul. The goal was the same: to stop cross-border terrorism and find a lasting path to peace. But the talks ended after four days—without any results.
Pakistan’s Information Minister Atta Tarar said in a detailed statement on the social networking site X (formerly Twitter):
“The Afghan Taliban have been constantly shifting blame and evading blame. Despite solid evidence, they have not given any guarantees to stop cross-border terrorism.”
He said the only agenda of the talks was to end attacks on Pakistan from Afghan soil, but the Taliban have failed to show seriousness about it.
According to the Pakistani delegation, the Taliban have repeatedly used the pretext of “further consultations” and have repeatedly changed their position. This attitude has led to the failure of the talks. However, the mediating countries—Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia—are still trying to bring the parties back to the negotiating table.
The Afghan position: silence or strategy?
The official spokesman for the Afghan Taliban, Zabihullah Mujahid, confirmed the failure of the talks, saying that “some differences remain, but the door to talks cannot be closed.”
However, Afghan sources say that the Taliban are unhappy with the Pakistani government’s “unilateral demands.” According to them, Pakistan wants the Taliban to take open action against the TTP—but Kabul believes that doing so could spark an internal rebellion.
A representative of the political office of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Qatar told the BBC:
“We do not want Afghanistan to fall into civil war again. Pakistan should understand our situation.”
This stance is actually a sign of the Taliban government’s weak authority. There is an ongoing power struggle between different military factions in Afghanistan. Although the Taliban government appears to be united on the surface, internal differences are deepening day by day.
Pakistan's Response: "No More Tolerance"
Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif responded strongly, saying:
"We have tolerated their betrayal for a long time, but now the times have changed. If we want, we can repeat the scenes of Tora Bora."
He made it clear that Pakistan does not need to use its full military power, but if terrorism continues from Afghan soil, "retaliatory measures" will be inevitable.
He said that "the Afghan Taliban are basing their economy on war and bloodshed. Their statements reveal their malicious thinking."
Information Minister Atta Tarar also supported this stance, saying that Pakistan will no longer allow its citizens to fall victim to terrorism at any cost.
"No nation can afford endless patience when its people are bleeding." — (Statement by a Pakistani official)
India's Role and the Region's Proxy War
According to Pakistan, India is once again using Afghan soil as its proxy. The growing diplomatic relations between Kabul and Delhi, the visit of Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Muttaqi to India, and the intelligence connections there—all these reinforce Pakistan’s concerns.
According to a senior defense analyst:
“India cannot fight Pakistan directly, so it is waging a proxy war against Pakistan through Afghan soil. This is the same strategy it used in East Pakistan in the 1970s.”
Pakistan has also repeatedly presented this position in meetings of the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and the OIC: that Afghan soil has become a haven for terrorist groups, and global pressure is necessary to address this.
Afghan Weakness and Internal Crisis
The Taliban government is currently beset by problems such as economic crisis, global isolation, the ban on women’s education, and internal disputes. The international community has not yet been able to formally recognize the Taliban government.
In such a situation, tension with Pakistan would be tantamount to suicide for Afghanistan. According to defense experts, Afghanistan’s military power is limited. It can fight a guerrilla war but cannot stand up to a regular army.
“Afghanistan can fight a guerrilla war, not a conventional one.” — (Defense Expert, Islamabad Policy Institute)
The professional capacity and technical superiority of the Pakistani forces are recognized worldwide. Whenever there have been border clashes in the past, Pakistan has shown a clear military superiority. This is why a prolonged conflict cannot be beneficial for the Afghan Taliban in any way.
International Reaction
Turkey and Qatar have expressed regret over the failure of the Istanbul talks. The Turkish Foreign Ministry stated that “the two brotherly countries should continue the talks, as a military conflict would destroy the peace of the region.”
A UN spokesperson said that “Afghan soil should not be used for any kind of terrorism, and all countries should fulfill their responsibilities.”
The US also reacted cautiously, saying, “We understand Pakistan’s security concerns, but we advise the parties to exercise restraint.”
This response shows that there is also concern about Afghanistan’s responsibilities at the global level.
Pakistan’s New Policy: Decisive Actions
Pakistan has decided in its recent policy that it will eliminate terrorism at all costs. The return of illegal Afghan citizens is part of this strategy. According to officials, thousands of people have been identified who were involved in facilitating terrorist groups.
According to the Interior Ministry, the “policy of tolerance” is now over.
These measures are necessary not only for Pakistan’s security but also for the peace of the entire region.
Final Analysis: Is Peace Possible?
Despite the failure of the talks, this is an opportunity for both countries to learn from the mistakes of the past.
Afghanistan needs to separate itself from India’s proxy policies and formulate its own independent foreign policy. On the other hand, Pakistan must also understand that a more effective weapon than force is trust and continuous diplomacy.
“Dialogue is not a sign of weakness; it is the foundation of lasting peace.”
If both countries understand each other’s concerns and take joint steps, the South Asian region can become the face of peace, not war. History shows that agreements reached at the table are more lasting than guns.
What Do We Learn From All This Discussion?
The failure of the Istanbul talks is not just a diplomatic failure but a dangerous moment for regional peace. However, every failure also hides an opportunity. If both countries act wisely and prudently, this crisis can also be the beginning of better relations in the future. The people of both Pakistan and Afghanistan want peace, education, development and prosperity—if not politicians, perhaps the people themselves can one day fulfill this dream.
“The people of the region deserve peace more than their leaders deserve power.”
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