Pakistan has achieved a significant success with the latest agreement reached with Afghanistan. The concept of strategic clarity has enabled Pakistan to forge a new and balanced chapter in its relations with Afghanistan.
This same strategic clarity has empowered Pakistan in its dealings with India, strengthening its diplomatic position and ensuring that regional and global actors now take Islamabad’s stance seriously. It was this clarity that allowed Pakistan to confront the Tehreek‑e‑Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as a hostile force, and to negotiate with India and Afghanistan from a position of power and confidence.
Under the agreement, Pakistan won its clear and unambiguous demand: the cessation of all forms of terrorist support and facilitation emanating from Afghan territory. The Afghan Taliban initially came to the table only to discuss a truce; Pakistan made a stronger push for full compliance with its security demands.
In negotiations with Afghanistan, Pakistan’s sole demand was that Afghan soil stop being used for terrorism directed at Pakistan. Now, Afghanistan is being treated not as a “brother country”, but as a sovereign neighbouring state bound by responsibility as well as opportunity.
The agreement was struck from a position of strength, following Pakistan’s military demonstration of capability and the establishment of deterrence against Afghan‑based networks. Under the terms, militant operations against Pakistan from Afghan territory are to cease immediately. A bi‑lateral delegation meeting is scheduled for 25 October in Istanbul, where detailed matters will be discussed.
That key details of the pact remain off‑public highlights the diplomatic judgement exercised by Pakistan — giving Afghanistan a path for face‑saving while Pakistan secures its core interests. The rule is now explicit: should terrorists launch attacks from Afghan soil against Pakistan, their camps will be struck.
From the Afghan side, no significant demand was forthcoming beyond the ceasefire provision. The agreement will remain in force so long as terrorism inside Pakistan does not resume. Both countries have committed to periodic reviews of implementation and progress.
While some may argue that the full impact of the agreement is yet to be seen, Pakistan has nonetheless established a new normal — one that shifts dynamics in its favour and underlines Islamabad’s growing diplomatic and security assertiveness.
