Afghanistan - A friend or Foe.

The article focuses on the complex and historically sensitive nature of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, primarily defined by the 1893 Durand Line Agreement between British India and Afghanistan. It outlines the longstanding disputes over this border, including Afghanistan's refusal to formally recognize the Durand Line after Pakistan's independence in 1947, and the resulting political and military tensions fueled by competing territorial claims and support for separatist movements. The piece highlights the role of Pashtun populations on both sides, the impact of regional conflicts such as the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and the ongoing security challenges posed by militant groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). It concludes by emphasizing Pakistan's current efforts to fence the border and calls for a more realistic and assertive policy toward Afghanistan, viewing it as a hostile entity due to continued cross-border militancy and instability.