Despite complex regional dynamics, Pakistan has consistently championed a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan, seeing it not merely as a neighbourly duty but a strategic imperative for regional stability. Time and again, Pakistan has extended a hand of genuine friendship, proving itself a reliable and compassionate ally.
Our nations share a relationship stretching back centuries. Ancient Afghanistan was a vital trade gateway to the subcontinent, fostering deep cultural, religious, and commercial exchanges that Pakistan remains keen to revive today. Economically, socially, and in terms of security, our countries are intrinsically linked; peace in one directly impacts the other. A stable Afghanistan helps mitigate cross-border crime, terrorism, and refugee flows, directly benefiting Pakistan’s security-hence our fervent advocacy for an Afghan-led peace process. Conversely, Pakistan’s stability enhances trade and regional connectivity, which are vital for Afghanistan’s recovery.
Unlike the often-temporary nature of global interests, Pakistan’s strategy is long-term and rooted in shared regional prosperity.
This connection runs deeper than government policies. Our 2,600-kilometer border connects communities sharing faith and ethnic heritage-Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras-fostering unique human bonds. This social harmony forms the bedrock of our enduring ties, especially in challenging times, becoming the foundation for public diplomacy. Pakistan has consistently sought cordial relations with every Afghan government, always prioritizing mutual benefit. While some Afghan administrations unfortunately fell under external influences, fostering mistrust against Pakistan, we have always pursued dialogue. Our consistent stance remains Afghanistan’s peace, stability, and development, driven by national interest and regional security. This unwavering commitment is perhaps best exemplified by our unparalleled generosity: hosting over 4 million Afghan refugees for more than four decades-one of the world’s largest and longest refugee hospices. Even after August 2021, when many nations faltered in accepting Afghans who worked with NATO, Pakistan again prioritized humanity, sheltering another million legal and undocumented refugees, upholding global responsibility with dignity when others’ promises largely remained unfulfilled.
Beyond humanitarian refuge, Pakistan has invested deeply in Afghanistan’s future across critical sectors, directly contributing to Afghan well-being and infrastructure.
In education, Pakistan has provided robust support. This includes establishing over 153 schools for Afghan refugees within Pakistan, hosting over 7,000 Afghan students in our universities, and offering 4,500 new Allama Iqbal Scholarships. More than 100,000 Afghans have graduated from Pakistani institutions, with many now serving their homeland across various fields. Infrastructure projects in Afghanistan itself further underscore this commitment, such as the Rahman Baba School and Hostel in Kabul (PKR 120 million), the Liaquat Ali Khan Engineering Faculty at Balkh University (PKR 1.046 billion), and the Allama Iqbal Faculty of Arts at Kabul University (PKR 672.54 million). These projects reflect Pakistan’s vision for empowering Afghan youth and fostering sustainable development.
Our commitment to healthcare and medical diplomacy inside Afghanistan has also been extensive. Pakistan has built and supported major facilities like the Jinnah Hospital in Kabul (a 500-bed facility, valued at $118.85 million), the Nishtar Kidney Center in Jalalabad (200 beds, $7 million), and the Nai Aminullah Khan Hospital in Logar (200 beds, $20 million). Beyond large hospitals, Pakistan has provided 45 ambulances, 14 mobile medical units, and performed over 30,000 free eye surgeries through medical camps, easing the lives of thousands.
Furthermore, Pakistan has played a key role in infrastructure development. This includes completing the 75-kilometer Torkham-Jalalabad Road, improving internal roads in Jalalabad, and conducting feasibility studies for vital railway projects like the Chaman-Spin Boldak and Peshawar-Jalalabad lines. These initiatives aim to improve trade and movement, integrating Afghanistan more effectively into the regional economy. Our humanitarian aid efforts have been consistent and substantial: between September 2021 and September 2022 alone, the Pak-Afghan Cooperation Forum dispatched 88 convoys, delivering 15,540 tons of aid worth PKR 2.7 billion. Total humanitarian assistance stands at 25,000 tons, valued at $30 million. Pakistan continued this crucial assistance even when global attention shifted elsewhere, highlighting our sustained commitment.
Beyond these major sectors, Pakistan’s support has extended to diverse areas like providing TV transmitters for Kandahar, upgrading security equipment and computers, installing deep well hand pumps in rural Kabul, and even rehabilitating cultural sites like the Kabul Zoo and Deh Mazang Park. These varied contributions improve daily civilian life and preserve cultural heritage.
Pakistan’s regional policy fundamentally aims for a peaceful, secure, and economically stable Afghanistan. Unlike the often-temporary nature of global interests, Pakistan’s strategy is long-term and rooted in shared regional prosperity. Our relationship isn’t transactional; it’s fraternal, time-tested, and profoundly woven into a shared destiny. No other nation has stood with Afghanistan with such consistent, sincere, and compassionate commitment. Pakistan has truly invested in Afghanistan’s future to foster peace and prosperity across the entire region.
