Youth and Sports—The New Frontier in Pak-Afghan Diplomacy

A Shift from Traditional Diplomacy to People-Centered Engagement

In a region historically shadowed by both brotherhood and difficulties, it is not war rooms or foreign ministries, but cricket grounds and classrooms that may hold the real potential for peace. Pakistan and Afghanistan, two nations bound by history, culture, and geography, are finding in youth and sports a fresh opportunity to reshape their relationship. As traditional diplomatic channels struggle with legacy disputes and political volatility, the rise of people-to-people engagement—led by athletes, students, and civil society—offers a welcome change in tone and substance.

Cricket Diplomacy

Cricket has emerged as a key connector between Pakistani and Afghan societies. Many Afghan national team players, including stars like Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, have trained in Pakistan during their formative years. Pakistan has provided logistical and coaching support to Afghanistan’s cricket board (ACB), especially in the 2000s when Afghanistan lacked proper infrastructure.

Key Milestones:

• Pakistan hosting Afghanistan’s home cricket matches in the UAE.
• PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) offering training and coaching facilities to Afghan players.
• Youth cricket exchanges and joint tournaments in border regions.

Other Sports Initiatives

In addition to cricket, football, martial arts, and traditional sports like buzkashi and wrestling have played roles in cross-border interaction. NGOs and community-based organizations have organized friendly tournaments, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Nangarhar.

Education as a Bridge for Mutual Understanding

Thousands of Afghan students have found a second home in Pakistani universities, many through scholarship programs designed to foster leadership and mutual understanding. These students do not just earn degrees—they build friendships, challenge stereotypes, and return with nuanced views that challenge the narrow narratives often peddled by political extremes on both sides.

Dialogue and Innovation

Further catalyzing this momentum are youth forums and digital workshops. Events like the Pak-Afghan Youth Jirga, organized in 2024 by the Pak-Afghan Youth Forum, highlight the potential of structured dialogue to address shared challenges—from regional trade and climate change to entrepreneurship and governance. These conversations, often overlooked by mainstream media, are instrumental in shaping the mindset of a generation that refuses to inherit the divisions of the past.

Cultural and Digital Diplomacy

From poetry readings to music festivals, Afghan and Pakistani youth are not only rediscovering their shared heritage but actively promoting it online. These digital bridges are especially powerful in times when physical ones are harder to cross due to visa hurdles and political restrictions. Social media campaigns and virtual collaborations have proven to be effective tools for soft diplomacy and cultural reawakening.

Barriers to Engagement

Despite this growing momentum, challenges persist. Afghanistan’s internal instability, restrictive border policies, underinvestment in youth infrastructure, and political mistrust continue to undermine progress. Civil society’s efforts often lack the sustained governmental support needed to scale and sustain impact.

The Way Forward

To truly harness the potential of youth and sports as diplomatic tools, the following steps must be taken:

• Institutionalize Youth Exchanges through annual programs across sports, education, and innovation.
• Invest in Joint Sports Infrastructure and host regional tournaments to encourage healthy competition and unity.
• Simplify Visa Processes for students, athletes, and cultural groups.
• Leverage Digital Platforms to facilitate cross-border collaboration and virtual engagement.
• Engage the Diaspora to serve as ambassadors of peace and progress.

Also See: Pak Afghan Youth Leading Peace and Stability

A Generation Ready to Lead the Way

The long-term peace between Pakistan and Afghanistan cannot rest solely on treaties or high-level summits. It must be anchored in the lived experiences of the region’s youth—who, through shared games, education, and creative expression, are already redefining what it means to be neighbors. Investing in these initiatives is not just a diplomatic strategy—it is a moral imperative for a more integrated and resilient South Asia.

The leaders of today would do well to listen to the voices of tomorrow.