On the heels of escalating tensions and failed peace talks, the fragile relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan has once again come under the spotlight. In recent days, religious leaders, diplomats, and analysts have weighed in on the deepening crisis, highlighting both the challenges and the rare moments of consensus that might offer hope for a peaceful future.
On December 15, 2025, the Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC), a powerful coalition of Sunni clerics, made a pointed call to the Taliban interim government in Kabul. Their message? It’s time to put words into action and enforce the recent resolution passed by more than 1,000 Afghan clerics, which firmly denounces militancy beyond Afghanistan’s borders. As reported by Dawn, PUC Chairman Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi described the resolution as a “positive step in the right direction.” He emphasized that both Afghan and Pakistani clerics are united in their stance: aggression on Afghan soil and terrorism in Pakistan are unequivocally unacceptable. “There are two basic points in the declaration. First, they [Afghan clerics] say that aggression against Afghan soil is unacceptable, and we say that terrorism in Pakistan is unacceptable. Second, they say that Afghan soil should not be used against any other country, and we hold the same opinion. There should be no attacks on Pakistan from Afghanistan and vice versa,” Ashrafi explained.
This rare alignment of religious opinion comes amid a backdrop of failed diplomatic efforts. According to the Tehran Times, Dr. S.M. Unus Hassany, an emeritus professor at the University of Karachi, placed responsibility for the breakdown of peace talks squarely on Afghanistan’s shoulders. Hassany argued that, despite mediation efforts by Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, “the failure of these peace talks was only due to unwillingness of Afghan government to give assurance that its territory will not be used against Pakistan.”
Indeed, the region has been rattled by violence and mutual suspicion. In early October 2025, explosions rocked Kabul, prompting the Afghan Ministry of Defence to accuse Pakistan of launching airstrikes on the capital. Islamabad initially denied any involvement, but the incident marked a turning point. Hassany recounted that, prior to the October 9 incident, Pakistan had already warned Afghan officials about cross-border incursions by “mischievous elements” who were carrying out subversive activities inside Pakistan. Despite repeated violations of the border, Hassany said, “Kabul did not react on the matter.” The situation escalated dramatically when, during Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s trip to India, intrusions intensified, resulting in significant casualties on the Pakistani side. “It is only then that Pakistan felt, obviously very rightfully, that the Taliban Afghan government is not interested in peace and they are not taking steps necessary to stop border incursions,” Hassany stated.
The Pakistani response was swift and targeted. According to Hassany, “Pakistan only targeted TTP hideouts in Afghanistan.” The Tehrik-i Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an armed group formed in 2007, has waged a persistent campaign against the Pakistani state. Pakistan considers the TTP as foreign, with most of its members operating from Afghan territory and enjoying a close relationship with the Taliban regime. Hassany noted, “Pakistan does not recognize TTP. TTP is considered as part of ‘Khawarji’ (foreigner). They are not in Pakistan. Most of them live in Afghanistan and have joined hands with the present Taliban regime.”
What’s more, Hassany accused Kabul of fighting a proxy war on behalf of India, justifying Pakistan’s cross-border strikes. “Kabul was fighting the proxy war of India with Pakistan and Pakistan was justified in firing at the locations in Afghan territory from where the intruders were launching attacks into Pakistani territory,” he said.
Despite these grave accusations, not all hope is lost. Both Pakistani and Afghan religious scholars have expressed a shared desire for peace. As Ashrafi put it, “There should be no attacks on Pakistan from Afghanistan and vice versa.” He went on to thank Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia for their ongoing mediation efforts, noting the importance of regional stability. “Peace and stability in the region are in the collective interest,” Ashrafi stressed, adding that safeguarding the homeland is a collective responsibility.
Still, the political environment remains fraught. Ashrafi warned that any attempt to undermine Pakistan’s armed forces would be met with fierce resistance. “If the need arose, religious seminaries and mosques would stand ready to defend the country, its security and stability,” he declared. He also called for greater political maturity, urging all parties to set aside differences and work together to strengthen the nation’s defense, economy, and internal stability. Ashrafi was unequivocal in his condemnation of abusive language in politics and attacks on the ISPR director general following a recent press conference. “Those who resorted to hate speech did not want peace in the country,” he said, adding that scholars from all schools of thought had unanimously declared violent behavior unacceptable. “Our objective is to take the country towards the caliphate system through peaceful means,” Ashrafi concluded.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts continue, though with little to show for them so far. Saudi Arabia recently hosted a round of peace talks, but, as Hassany observed, “A closed-door session in Riyadh ended with both sides holding firm to their positions, showing little willingness to compromise.” The sticking point, he explained, was Afghanistan’s refusal to provide a written assurance that its territory would not be used against Pakistan by the TTP.
The situation is further complicated by other contentious issues, such as Afghanistan’s plans to build a dam on the Kunar River—a waterway that flows 480 kilometers through Pakistan. Hassany warned that this move “will also be using water as a weapon and will play a part for enmity between the two brotherly countries.”
Against this tangled backdrop of mistrust and intermittent violence, some observers point to the long and complex history between the two neighbors. Pakistan provided sanctuary to millions of Afghans during the Soviet occupation from 1979 to 1989 and later supported the fight against U.S. forces. Yet, as Hassany lamented, “Afghanistan did not appreciate Pakistan’s helpful deeds during the present Taliban regime that destroyed the brotherly relationship between the two neighboring Muslim countries.”
As the year draws to a close, the path forward remains uncertain. The voices of religious leaders calling for peace, the persistent efforts of regional mediators, and the sobering lessons of history all underscore the stakes involved. Whether these appeals will be enough to break the deadlock and foster genuine cooperation remains to be seen. But for now, the region watches—and waits—for a breakthrough that seems as elusive as ever.
