![In 2025, Pak-Afghan ties strain under violence, but diplomacy, culture, and youth can foster peace despite TTP and border issues. [Image via PAYF Creatives]](http://pkafgyouthforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/SAT-Web-Banners-12-1024x587.webp)
As we stand in April 2025, the relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan remains at a critical juncture. Once bound by shared history, culture, and geography, these two neighbors now navigate a landscape marred by mistrust, border tensions, and the persistent shadow of militancy. Yet, amidst the challenges, there lies an opportunity for renewal—a chance to leverage public diplomacy to bridge divides and foster a partnership that serves the interests of both nations. For a public diplomacy forum dedicated to improving Pak-Afghan relations, the task is not merely to lament the current state of affairs but to chart a pragmatic course toward reconciliation and cooperation.
The State of Relations Today
TTP – The Bone of Contention
Pak-Afghan ties have reached one of their lowest points in recent years. When the Afghan Interim Government returned to power in August 2021, Pakistan initially hoped for a more stable western border. However, these expectations were shattered by the resurgence of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has intensified cross-border attacks.
In 2024 alone, Pakistan recorded over 700 terrorist incidents, resulting in nearly 1,000 deaths—many linked to TTP operations using Afghan soil. The December 2024 attack on a Pakistani military outpost near the border, which killed 16 security personnel, prompted retaliatory airstrikes by Pakistan in Afghanistan’s Paktika province. The strikes targeted a TTP training facility & aimed to eliminate insurgents. This ongoing cycle of cross-border attacks by the TTP has only deepened the rift between the two neighbors.
Border Disputes & Sovereignty Challenges
Border disputes, particularly over the Pak-Afghan border, remain a major flashpoint. In March 2025, Afghan Interim Government forces crossed into Pakistani territory to construct a military post at the disputed Point Zero area near the Torkham crossing, disregarding Pakistan’s protests—an assertion of Afghanistan’s refusal to recognize the internationally recognized boundary. This led to the closure of a vital crossing for over 27 days, blocking trade and pedestrian movement.
The Immigrants’ Repatriation & Diplomatic Strains
Pakistan currently hosts 2.1 million documented Afghan immigrants, with many others residing in the country without legal status. Approximately 1.3 million of these refugees have received Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, with over half settled in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). Amid ongoing security challenges, Pakistan decided to repatriate 1.7 million undocumented Afghan migrants in late 2023. So far, 878,972 Afghan immigrants have voluntarily returned to Afghanistan.
The repatriation process has been viewed by some as a hostile move, overlooking Pakistan’s decades-long hospitality towards Afghan refugees. While the repatriations are seen by some as a contentious issue, it’s important to recognize that Pakistan’s efforts are aimed at balancing its security concerns with the long-term stability of Afghanistan.
Economic Fallout & Trade Decline
Economically, the relationship remains tense. The frequent closure of the Torkham border has disrupted trade, already in decline due to security concerns & restrictive policies. Bilateral trade, once valued at $2.5 billion annually, has plummeted, with Pakistan’s exports to Afghanistan dropping nearly 30% since 2021. This underscores a troubling reality: mistrust between the two countries is not just a diplomatic challenge but an economic liability.
The Role of Public Diplomacy
In this climate of hostility, traditional state-to-state diplomacy has faltered. High-level talks, such as those under the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity, have yielded little progress, overshadowed by mutual accusations and military posturing. This is where public diplomacy can step in as a transformative force. By engaging people—youth, civil society, religious leaders, and cultural influencers—a forum dedicated to Pak-Afghan betterment can build bridges that governments alone cannot.
Human Dimension And Narrative Building
First, we must address the human dimension. The Afghan refugee crisis is not just a statistic—2.5 million people—but a shared story of displacement and resilience. Pakistan’s sacrifices, including hosting millions of Afghans since the 1980s and suffering economic losses of $150 billion in the fight against terrorism, deserve acknowledgment. A public diplomacy initiative could amplify these narratives through storytelling campaigns, fostering empathy in Afghanistan while encouraging Pakistan to adopt humane refugee policies. Joint forums for Afghan and Pakistani youth could highlight their shared aspirations, countering the divisive rhetoric of the past.
Soft Power & Cultural Ties
Second, soft power offers untapped potential. Cricket, a passion uniting both nations, could serve as a diplomatic tool. In 2021, the Pak Afghan Youth Forum proposed a “Sports Corridor” to connect cricket boards and organize cross-border matches—a vision worth reviving. Imagine the goodwill generated by a Pak-Afghan cricket series in 2025, drawing fans from both sides of the Pak-Afghan Border. Similarly, engaging religious scholars to promote shared Islamic values could counter extremist ideologies that fuel groups like the TTP and the Islamic State-Khorasan.
Economic Interdependence
Finally, economic interdependence must be rekindled. Trade talks in 2024 showed promise, with both sides expressing intent to ease tensions despite security challenges. A public diplomacy forum could advocate for grassroots economic initiatives—think joint markets in border regions or digital trade platforms for small businesses—complementing official efforts and proving that prosperity is a mutual goal.
Also See: Afghanistan-Pakistan Trade and Economy: A Symbiotic Partnership
A Call to Action
The stakes are high. Pakistan’s security challenges, compounded by TTP violence, and Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis, with 6 million displaced since 2021, demand cooperation, not confrontation. History shows that when Pakistan and Afghanistan align—such as during the Soviet invasion, when Pakistan trained Mujahideen and hosted refugees—they can achieve remarkable outcomes. Today, the enemy is not a foreign invader but the instability that threatens both nations. A public diplomacy forum must seize this moment. By amplifying voices of peace, leveraging cultural ties, and advocating for practical solutions, it can shift the narrative from discord to dialogue. The road ahead is long, but the alternative—perpetual conflict—is untenable. Let 2025 be the year Pak-Afghan relations turn a corner, not through force, but through the power of people united for a shared future.
