Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – The already strained relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan is worsening, with the Taliban officially accusing Islamabad of backing ISIS militants. This accusation coincides with a surge in armed clashes along the Afghan-Pakistani border. At the heart of the tension lies the contentious Durand Line, the de facto border, which the Taliban claim is unjust and illegitimate.
Taliban Deputy Foreign Minister Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai recently alleged that Pakistan’s military is training ISIS fighters and deploying them to Afghanistan to carry out attacks. “We have sufficient evidence on this matter and have made it public multiple times. The confessions and videos demonstrate that ISIS operates bases in Pakistan, receives training there, is armed by Pakistani military personnel, and is then sent to Afghanistan,” Stanikzai stated.
Historically, Pakistan’s military and its intelligence agency, the ISI, have been instrumental in supporting the Taliban. During the 1980s and 1990s, Pakistani madrassas educated and militarily trained Pashtun refugees, laying the groundwork for the Taliban’s rise to power. However, the Taliban’s relationship with Pakistan began to shift after their return to power in 2021. No longer reliant on Pakistan’s patronage, the Taliban appear less willing to accept Islamabad’s influence.
The situation is further complicated by the ethnic dynamics along the Durand Line. The Pashtun population, divided by the border, has long been a source of tension. Pakistan has historically sought to divert Pashtun nationalism into religious militancy, a strategy that initially bolstered the Taliban but has now become a liability for Islamabad.
Despite its history of supporting the Taliban, Pakistan has faced accusations of duplicity, especially following the 9/11 attacks. While Islamabad joined the U.S.-led coalition against terrorism, accusations of harboring and aiding Taliban factions persisted.
Now, as the Taliban consolidates its grip on Afghanistan, it has become increasingly vocal about its grievances with Pakistan. With both sides exchanging accusations and hostilities escalating, the once strategic alliance between the Taliban and Pakistan seems to be unraveling, posing new security risks for the region.
