In the contemporary political landscape, the tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan remains a critical issue, especially regarding the border demarcation. The region has witnessed years of conflict, with historical roots that stretch back to the 19th century.
The Afghanistan-Pakistan border, which spans over 2,400 kilometers, is a focal point of contention, with Afghanistan’s refusal to recognize the Durand Line—a border agreement signed between British India and Afghanistan in 1893—continuing to create friction. This article explores the historical context of the Durand Line and the ongoing border disputes between the two nations.
Historical Background
Afghanistan, a neighboring Islamic country to Pakistan, shares a significant border that spans 2,403 kilometers from Wakhan to the Trijunction point, passing through Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan in Pakistan. Pakistan acknowledges this boundary, which was formalized in the Durand Line agreement. Historically, the region encompassing Pakistan and Afghanistan was part of various empires, including the Mughal Empire, the Persian Empire, and the Afghan Durrani Empire.
In the 7th century, the region was under the influence of the Mughal Empire. However, by the 18th century, the power dynamics shifted, with the Persian Empire expanding its influence into Afghanistan. Following the death of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1707, the Mughal Empire weakened, and Afghanistan came under the control of the Durrani Empire led by Ahmad Shah Abdali.
Ahmad Shah Abdali, who established the Durrani dynasty in 1747, expanded his territory, including parts of what is now Pakistan and India. However, as his power waned, the Sikhs, led by Ranjit Singh, seized Punjab and other territories from the Afghans. During this period, Britain and Russia became embroiled in the “Great Game,” where both sought to expand their influence in Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Britain, particularly through the East India Company, consolidated its control over much of South Asia, while Russia advanced towards Afghanistan.
The Durand Line and Its Significance
The geopolitical struggles between Britain and Russia in the 19th century led to Britain’s interference in Afghan affairs. In 1837, Britain sent a message to Afghan King Dost Mohammad Khan to secure control over Herat, a strategically vital city. However, Dost Mohammad sought British assistance in reclaiming territories from the Sikhs, who had seized them after Ahmad Shah Abdali’s decline. Britain, not wanting to lose Punjab to the Sikhs, rejected Dost Mohammad’s offer.
In response, Britain sent troops to Afghanistan and began the First Anglo-Afghan War (1839–1842), which resulted in the British-backed Shah Shuja regaining the Afghan throne. However, by 1841, the Afghans revolted, leading to the massacre of British forces. Britain withdrew from Afghanistan, but the region remained a contested ground for imperial powers.
1857 after Britain defeated the Sikhs, it reasserted control over territories in the region, including present-day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Afghanistan’s strategic position between British India and the Russian Empire made it a vital area of concern for both powers. In 1893, under the leadership of Amir Abdul Rahman Khan, Afghanistan and Britain formalized the Durand Line, which delineated the border between British India and Afghanistan. The agreement, signed by both parties, was intended to solidify Afghanistan as a buffer state between British India and Russian-controlled Central Asia.
The Legacy of the Durand Line Agreement
The Durand Line Agreement of 1893, named after Sir Mortimer Durand, a British diplomat, established the official boundary between Afghanistan and British India. Under the terms of the agreement, the British government provided a subsidy to Afghanistan in exchange for recognition of the Durand Line. This arrangement was meant to stabilize the region and prevent further foreign encroachment.
However, the Durand Line was always a contentious issue. After Afghanistan gained independence in 1919, the border dispute continued. The issue was never fully resolved despite Afghanistan’s periodic recognition of the Durand Line. The boundary remained a point of dispute, particularly among nationalist and ethnic Pashtun groups, who felt that the Durand Line divided their communities.
The partition of British India in 1947, which resulted in the creation of Pakistan, placed the Durand Line directly between the two newly formed countries. Pakistan accepted the Durand Line as its official border, but Afghanistan refused to do so. Afghan nationalists and Pashtun separatists continued to challenge the legitimacy of the border, claiming that areas such as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and other tribal regions were historically Afghan territory.
Afghanistan’s Refusal to Accept the Durand Line
The issue has persisted into the 21st century, with Afghanistan refusing to recognize the Durand Line as the border with Pakistan officially. Afghan nationalist groups and the Taliban have repeatedly rejected the agreement, calling for the reassertion of Afghan territorial claims over regions that Pakistan considers its own. In recent years, the Taliban’s return to power has further complicated matters, as insurgent groups operating from Afghan soil have launched attacks in Pakistani border regions, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
Despite numerous diplomatic attempts to resolve the issue, Afghanistan’s stance remains unchanged, with the country’s leadership consistently asserting that the Durand Line is an illegitimate colonial imposition. This has led to continuous tensions between the two countries, with both sides accusing each other of violating the border agreements.
The International Legal Perspective
From an international law perspective, the Durand Line remains a legally binding agreement. According to the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, Article 54 specifies that a treaty can only be terminated with mutual consent of both parties or through the fulfillment of specific conditions outlined in the treaty itself. In the case of the Durand Line, no such condition for termination was ever stipulated, making it legally binding in perpetuity unless both nations agree to alter or nullify it.
Furthermore, Pakistan’s position is supported by international law, as the country has consistently upheld the legitimacy of the Durand Line. As a result, Pakistan maintains that the border remains inviolable, and any claims of territorial revisionism are unwarranted.
The ongoing dispute over the Durand Line between Pakistan and Afghanistan remains a complex issue rooted in historical, political, and ethnic factors. Despite efforts to resolve the matter diplomatically, Afghanistan’s refusal to recognize the border as a legitimate international boundary continues to fuel tensions and instability in the region. The impact of this dispute is felt not only by the two nations but also by the broader international community, as both countries face challenges in combating terrorism, maintaining regional stability, and ensuring peace.
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