ANALYZING PAKISTAN’S SECURITY CONCERNS AND STRATEGIC DEPTH POLICY IN AFGHANISTAN

Abstract

Pakistan and Afghanistan are the two neighboring states and this neighboring status cannot be altered. Pakistan has vested interests in the stability and friendly regime in Afghanistan. Historically, Pakistan has been insecure from its western neighbor, and the two states’ relations have been spoiled by some major irritants i.e. Durand Line dispute, Pashtunistan issue, Indian factor in Afghanistan, the sanctuaries of Baloch insurgents in Afghanistan and cross border terrorism. After 9/11, the relation between the two countries remained at odds due to increased Indian presence in Afghanistan and the sanctuaries of Pakistani terrorist groups in Afghanistan. Currently, the relationship between two countries is at lowest ebb. Pakistan has genuine security concerns emerging from Afghanistan in the form of Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan and other terrorist groups attacks in the Pakistani soil. This research is a descriptive study and uses case study method to analyze Pakistan- Afghanistan relation through analysis of strategic depth theoretical farmwork. The analysis reveals several episodes of ebbs and flows between Pakistan and Afghanistan due to Pakistan’s strategic depth idea and study also provides recommendation.