Hizb-ut-Tahrir’s Call to Dismantle the Durand Line Amid Pakistan-Afghanistan Conflict
Executive Summary
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have deepened, as Hizb-ut-Tahrir Afghanistan issued a call to dismantle the Durand Line, framing it as a colonial relic undermining Muslim unity. This comes in the wake of Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Paktika province, which killed 46 civilians, and growing hostilities fueled by cross-border militant activity, nationalist grievances, and the unresolved status of the Durand Line. With both nations grappling with militant threats and the burden of history, the line has become a flashpoint, dividing Pashtun communities and serving as a symbol of unresolved territorial disputes. Hizb-ut-Tahrir’s rhetoric emphasizes the region’s enduring tensions and broader struggles over identity, sovereignty, and security.
Analysis
Historical Context of the Durand Line
The Durand Line, drawn in 1893 as part of an agreement between British India and the Amir of Afghanistan, divided the Pashtun tribal belt into two spheres of influence. While the British used the line to create a buffer against Russian advances in Central Asia, it fractured Pashtun communities, igniting resistance that persists today. Afghanistan has never formally recognized the line, viewing it as a colonial imposition that undermines its sovereignty.
Post-independence, Pakistan inherited the contentious border and has sought to formalize it, most recently through a near-complete border fence. However, the line remains a point of contention, with successive Afghan governments refusing to acknowledge it as an international boundary, even as Pakistan has fortified it to curb militant movements and smuggling.
Recent Escalations and Cross-Border Violence
Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, cross-border violence has surged. The Pakistani Taliban (TTP), emboldened by their Afghan counterparts, have launched numerous attacks in Pakistan, targeting security forces and civilians. In response, Pakistan has conducted airstrikes on alleged TTP hideouts in Afghanistan, most notably in Paktika province, which Afghan officials claim resulted in significant civilian casualties. These actions have exacerbated tensions, with the Taliban government condemning Pakistan’s actions as violations of Afghan sovereignty.
Hizb-ut-Tahrir’s call to dismantle the Durand Line reflects the broader frustrations of many in the region who see the border as an artificial division that perpetuates conflict and weakens Muslim unity. The group also accused Pakistan of acting as a U.S. proxy, prioritizing American interests over defending Muslim causes like Palestine and Kashmir.
Impact of the Border Fence
Pakistan’s fencing of the Durand Line, initiated in 2017, aims to curb the movement of militants, smugglers, and refugees. While the fence has reportedly reduced cross-border militant activity, it has also drawn criticism for dividing families, harming local economies, and exacerbating tensions with Afghanistan. Afghan officials and tribal leaders see the fence as a unilateral attempt to impose a border they do not recognize, further inflaming nationalist and Islamist opposition.
For Pashtun communities, the fence represents more than a physical barrier—it symbolizes decades of marginalization. The division has disrupted traditional ways of life, severed familial ties, and curtailed cross-border trade. These grievances have fueled anti-Pakistan sentiment, with calls to remove the line resonating across nationalist and Islamist narratives.
Broader Regional Implications
The tensions along the Durand Line are part of a larger geopolitical struggle involving Afghanistan, Pakistan, and their neighbors. The resurgence of the TTP and other militant groups, fueled by the Taliban’s return to power, has made the border region increasingly volatile. Pakistan’s reliance on military solutions to address these threats has drawn criticism for neglecting the underlying grievances of marginalized ethnic groups, particularly the Pashtuns.
At the same time, Afghanistan’s economic collapse and humanitarian crisis have strained its relationship with Pakistan, which hosts millions of Afghan refugees. The recent expulsion of undocumented Afghan refugees from Pakistan has added another layer of tension, with human rights groups decrying the deportations as inhumane.
The Durand Line also plays into broader power dynamics, with China, Russia, and the U.S. each seeking to influence the region. Pakistan’s alignment with China and Afghanistan’s fragile dependence on aid complicate efforts to resolve disputes and stabilize the border.
Hizb-ut-Tahrir’s Role in the Conflict
Hizb-ut-Tahrir’s call to destroy the Durand Line aligns with its vision of abolishing nation-states in favor of a global Islamic caliphate. By positioning the line as a colonial construct that divides Muslims, the group seeks to leverage regional grievances to advance its ideological goals. However, its rhetoric risks inflaming tensions and undermining efforts to address the region’s complex challenges through dialogue and cooperation.
Sources
• MEMRI: Hizb-ut-Tahrir Afghanistan Calls for Breaking the Durand Line
• RFE/RL: Pakistan Fences Off Afghanistan, Impacting Families and Fighters
• Al Jazeera: The Durand Line and Border Tensions
