Why Are Pakistan and Afghanistan at Odds?

Pakistan’s repeated accusations that the Afghan Taliban shelters armed groups have placed security at the centre of tensions between the two neighbours.

Islamabad alleges that these groups use Afghan territory to plan and carry out attacks against Pakistan. Its complaints focus on the sanctuary it says allows militants to operate across the border.

The dispute is therefore about more than where attacks take place. Pakistan is also challenging the Taliban’s responsibility for preventing Afghan territory from being used by groups targeting its neighbour.

The allegations remain claims by Pakistan, rather than independently established findings in the information provided. No response from the Afghan Taliban was included.

At the heart of the tensions is the question of cross-border militant activity: who enables it, who can prevent it and whether Pakistan and Afghanistan can reach an understanding on security.