Religions Radicalism Resurgence of Taliban and Curbing Militancy Implications for Pak – Afghan Relations
Dr. Lubna Abid Ali

Abstract
Evolution of Pakistan’s Afghan policy is rooted in the British historical perception of Afghanistan. According to which a pro-British Afghanistan was considered essential for India’s security. Similarly Pakistan’s military bureaucratic elite perceived a pro-Pakistan Afghanistan essential for Pakistan’s defence. Historically relations between two neighbourly Muslim states had been marred over the issue of Durand Line. This roughly 2430 Kms long border between Afghanistan and Pakistan had not only been a line of demarcation but a frontier. This involved 1,90,000 sq. miles of territory claimed by Afghanistan as ‘Pakhtunistan’. The British government consistently rejected this claim on the basis of well-known principle of international law: pacta sund serevanda, treaty agreements ought to be respected.¹

In the aftermath of 11September 2001, and the U.S. unilateral intervention in Afghanistan, Pakistan took a Uturn in its policy towards Taliban. New inputs created a host of socio-political challenges with far reaching impact on bilateral and regional arrangements. President Hamid Karzai had not been able to establish government’s writ beyond Kabul. Both the incumbent regime and the external forces exploit situation only to the detriment of Pak – Afghan relations. The aim of this study is to delineate such impediments; suggest means of achieving better relations, to establish peace in a war-ravaged region.²

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