Tensions on the Edge: What’s Happening Between Pakistan and Afghanistan

13 November 2025

Paul Francis

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The relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan has always been uneasy, but in recent weeks it has taken a serious turn. Cross-border clashes, air strikes, failed peace talks and growing accusations have pushed both nations into one of their most dangerous stand-offs in years. For many observers, the dispute has become a test of whether the region can avoid another long and destabilising conflict.

Helicopter flying over a sandy desert with rocky mountains in the background. Clear blue sky, conveying a sense of adventure and isolation.

A Fragile Border and a Growing Crisis

The Pakistan–Afghanistan border stretches for more than 1,600 miles across harsh mountains and remote valleys. It is one of the most difficult borders in the world to control. Communities on both sides share cultural and ethnic ties, yet it is also an area long associated with insurgency, smuggling and shifting alliances.

Tensions rose sharply in October 2025 after Pakistan accused militants based in Afghanistan of launching deadly attacks on its territory. The main group blamed was the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an organisation ideologically aligned with the Afghan Taliban. Islamabad claims that the TTP uses Afghan soil as a safe haven to regroup and plan strikes. The Afghan government, run by the Taliban since 2021, has repeatedly denied this, insisting it does not allow any group to attack a neighbouring country.

In response to a series of cross-border raids, Pakistan carried out air strikes inside Afghanistan, reportedly targeting militant positions near Kabul and across border provinces such as Khost and Paktika. Afghanistan retaliated with its own artillery fire along the frontier, resulting in casualties on both sides.

Diplomatic Frustration and Failed Talks

The violence sparked international concern, prompting Qatar and Turkey to step in as mediators. Both countries helped broker a temporary ceasefire in mid-October, but the calm was short-lived. Within weeks, the agreement had collapsed, with each side accusing the other of breaking the terms.

Talks held in Istanbul were meant to restore dialogue, yet they ended in stalemate. Pakistan demanded firm guarantees that militants operating from Afghanistan would be disarmed or expelled. Afghanistan, in turn, accused Pakistan of violating its sovereignty with repeated air operations. Efforts by Iran to offer mediation have also yet to produce results.

This latest breakdown highlights a deeper mistrust between the two governments. Pakistan once saw the Taliban’s rise to power in Afghanistan as a strategic opportunity to ensure a friendly regime on its western border. Instead, the relationship has soured, with Islamabad viewing the Taliban’s inability to rein in the TTP as a major threat to its internal security.

Why the Situation Matters

The border conflict is more than a local issue; it has major implications for the entire region. Pakistan’s western frontier has long been volatile, and instability there risks spilling into its own border provinces such as Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. If the violence continues, Pakistan may face a surge of displaced civilians and renewed domestic attacks from TTP factions.

Camouflage uniform with Pakistan flag patch, "Special Services Wing" badge, and pencil in pocket. Hand holding a paper, suggesting readiness.

For Afghanistan, the fighting threatens what remains of its already fragile economy. Cross-border trade routes with Pakistan are crucial lifelines for goods, fuel and humanitarian supplies. When the border closes or becomes unsafe, Afghan markets suffer shortages and price spikes, deepening the country’s ongoing economic crisis.

Neighbouring countries are also on alert. Iran, which shares a long border with both Afghanistan and Pakistan, has offered to mediate out of concern that the fighting could spread or disrupt trade routes. Further north, Central Asian nations such as Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are worried about militant movements and refugee flows across their southern borders.

Even China is watching closely. It has invested heavily in Pakistan’s infrastructure through the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship element of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative. Escalating violence could undermine those projects and threaten Chinese personnel working in the region.

The Broader Picture: Security and Trust

Flags of Afghanistan and Pakistan on a detailed map with mountains, highlighted by warm sunlight, creating a diplomatic tone.

At the heart of the crisis is a question of control. Pakistan believes that the Afghan Taliban can restrain militant groups operating from within its borders, but evidence so far suggests that the Taliban either cannot or will not take decisive action. Some analysts argue that the Afghan leadership faces internal divisions, with hardline elements unwilling to confront groups that once fought alongside them.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s military leadership faces pressure at home to show strength. Repeated attacks by the TTP have killed hundreds of Pakistani soldiers and civilians over the past two years. Failure to respond decisively could be seen as weakness by a population already frustrated with economic hardship and political instability.

Both sides, then, are trapped in a cycle of accusation and retaliation, where every incident deepens mistrust.

Possible Futures

If diplomacy fails, further escalation remains a real risk. More air strikes or cross-border raids could ignite a wider conflict that neither country can afford. However, there are also reasons for cautious optimism. Regional powers, including Turkey, Qatar and Iran, have a vested interest in avoiding another prolonged war. Their mediation efforts, while limited so far, may keep communication channels open.

Trade could also serve as a bridge rather than a barrier. Pakistan and Afghanistan have both expressed interest in expanding economic cooperation through transit agreements and energy links. If stability can be restored, these could offer incentives for restraint.

The real test will be whether both governments can separate militant issues from broader political disputes. Without that, the ceasefire agreements will remain temporary, and the border will continue to be a flashpoint for years to come.

Impact Beyond the Border

The outcome of this conflict could shape regional security for the foreseeable future. A stable Afghanistan benefits not only Pakistan but also Central Asia and even Europe, which has faced migration pressures after every major Afghan crisis. Conversely, a breakdown in relations could fuel extremism, disrupt trade routes and draw in larger powers seeking influence.

For now, the international community is urging restraint. The question is whether Pakistan and Afghanistan can find common ground before local skirmishes evolve into something much larger.

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WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event returned on 12th July 2025 with all the nostalgic bells and whistles, neon lighting, synth-heavy intro music, and classic-style graphics reminiscent of the 80s and 90s. Originally launched in 1985 as a network TV alternative to Saturday Night Live, the show was once a crown jewel of primetime wrestling, showcasing megastars like Hogan, Savage and The Rockers. In its modern form, it has taken on a part-retro, part-premium live event style, but this time, it came with one major problem: actually watching it.

As someone who couldn’t tune in live, catching up was more of a test of endurance than enjoyment. Between YouTube’s constant interruptions (not a Premium user here), a full WWE ad reel baked into the show, and then even more ads from YouTube right after skipping... at one point, I watched 30 seconds of wrestling sandwiched between two minutes of adverts. For a show rooted in nostalgia, that’s one modern update I could have done without.

Still, when the show got going, it did offer a few standout moments, even if not everything landed.

Solo Sikoa (c) vs. Jimmy Uso – United States Championship

This one felt more like a placeholder than a PLE-worthy match. Solo retained the title in a relatively short and uneventful bout, with the usual interference from the “MFTs” (Most Feared Tongans, now routinely backing Solo). While the storytelling of the fractured Bloodline brothers once had weight, the formula now feels tired. Predictability and repetition took the edge off, and it’s hard to get invested when you can already guess the ending three minutes in.

Verdict: Forgettable.

Randy Orton vs. Drew McIntyre – Singles Match

This match had real heavyweight energy. Orton and McIntyre brought intensity, physicality, and crowd investment from the first bell. It had all the makings of a top-tier match — until the interference.

Jelly Roll, whom I’d genuinely never heard of before Friday’s SmackDown, played the distraction role, and while I understand WWE’s crossover marketing, it felt jarring. To make it worse, Logan Paul — a man who’s gone toe-to-toe with Roman Reigns — backed off from Jelly Roll like he’d just seen Brock Lesnar reincarnated. The wrestlers were excellent, but the booking took a slight shine off what could have been a match-of-the-night contender.

LA Knight vs. Seth Rollins

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Not the way anyone wanted this to end, and while I’m not Rollins’ biggest fan, no one wants to see an injury derail a career.

Gunther (c) vs. Goldberg – World Heavyweight Championship

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Goldberg gave a post-match farewell, briefly thanking the crowd, but unfortunately, NBC cut the broadcast before his full speech aired. A frustrating end to what could have been a sentimental moment.

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Saturday Night’s Main Event Overall Thoughts

Saturday Night’s Main Event was a mixed bag. The retro presentation was a welcome throwback, but it clashed with the frustrating reality of modern streaming. Gunther vs. Goldberg offered closure, and LA Knight continues to rise. But predictable interference and an over-reliance on faction storytelling dragged some matches down.

Match of the Night: Randy Orton vs. Drew McIntyre (despite the interference)

Moment of the Night: LA Knight’s improvised win after Rollins’ injury

Most Forgettable: Solo Sikoa’s title defence

Next up: Evolution — where the women delivered a very different kind of show.