Global Watch: Pakistan Weaponizes Borders, Strangles Afghanistan's Economy
Opinion
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News18•29-01-2026, 14:44
Global Watch: Pakistan Weaponizes Borders, Strangles Afghanistan's Economy
- •Pakistan is using border closures along the Durand Line (Torkham, Chaman-Spin Boldak) to economically coerce the Afghan Taliban government.
- •The closures, ongoing for over four months, have severely impacted Afghanistan's economy, halting essential trade and causing a 40% decline in cross-border trade in 2025.
- •Islamabad justifies its actions by accusing the Afghan Taliban of sheltering terrorist groups like TTP and BLA, a claim seen as a 'smokescreen' for deeper policy failures.
- •Pakistan's 'strategic depth' vision for a compliant Afghanistan has failed, leading to frustration and a resort to coercive measures.
- •The policy risks entrenching hostility and instability, as economic strangulation breeds resentment rather than compliance.
Why It Matters: Pakistan's border weaponization against Afghanistan reflects strategic frustration and risks deepening regional instability.
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