The Durand Line Dispute: Historical Evolution and Its Geopolitical Implications for Pashtun Identity and Pakistan-Afghanistan Relations

Abstract

This study examines the Pak-Afghan border issue and its implications for the Pashtun population residing on both sides of the Durand Line. The research is guided by three primary objectives to investigate emerging issues arising from border management between Pakistan and Afghanistan, to analyze the socio-political, economic, and cultural implications of these issues for communities across the frontier; and to propose practical measures to address the identified challenges. Employing a qualitative research design, the study is based on an extensive review of existing scholarly literature complemented by content and thematic analysis. To enrich the findings with grassroots perspectives, semi-structured interviews were conducted with tribal elders, traders, local scholars, and political representatives possessing knowledge of tribal and border affairs. The findings indicate that securitization measures, including border fencing and regulated crossings, have intensified political mistrust between the two states while simultaneously disrupting traditional mobility patterns, cross-border trade, and kinship networks. The research highlights how fragmented governance structures, security concerns, and unresolved disputes over the status of the Durand Line contribute to instability and socio-economic constraints in the borderland region. Moreover, the study underscores the impact of these dynamics on Pashtun identity, social cohesion, and perceptions of marginalization. The study concludes that a purely security-oriented approach to border management is insufficient for long-term stability. Instead, it recommends a balanced and inclusive strategy incorporating bilateral cooperation, community engagement, and development-oriented initiatives to transform the border from a contested frontier into a zone of collaboration and shared progress.

 Keywords: Pak-Afghan Border, Durand Line, Pashtun Population, Border Management, Ethnonationalism, Borderlands Theory, Securitization, Cross-Border Relations, Regional Stability.