Analysts warn future of Pakistan-Afghanistan ties ‘bleak’ as tensions rise, ties plummet
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani international affairs analysts and a former diplomat warned this week that recent tensions between Islamabad and Kabul signal that the future of ties between the two nations remains “bleak,” with both sides unwilling to budge from their differing stances on militancy.
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have surged anew on Tuesday after Afghanistan accused Islamabad of carrying out overnight strikes on its territory that killed 10 civilians. Pakistan’s military spokesperson denied the allegations as Kabul warned it would retaliate.
Pakistan blames a recent surge in militant attacks on its soil on groups that it says are based in Afghanistan. Islamabad has urged the Afghan government of taking decisive action against these militants allegedly on its soil. Kabul denies the allegations and has said that Pakistan’s security challenges are its internal matter.
The latest blame game between the two sides followed a day after a deadly suicide bombing targeted the headquarters of a paramilitary force in Pakistan’s northwestern city of Peshawar, killing three personnel and wounding 11 others.
