# *Detailed SUMMARY of the article "Pak-Afghan thaw" by Zahid Hussain, Published in Dawn on June 11th, 2025:* The article discusses the *diplomatic breakthrough* between *Pakistan* and *Afghanistan*, where both countries agreed to upgrade their diplomatic relations to *ambassador level*, marking a significant shift in bilateral ties that had deteriorated since the *Taliban's return to power* in *2021*. This announcement followed an *informal trilateral meeting* of foreign ministers from *China*, *Afghanistan*, and *Pakistan* in *Beijing* last month. Only a few countries including *China*, *Russia*, *UAE*, and *Uzbekistan* have agreed to host *Taliban ambassadors*, while no country has *formally recognized* the *Taliban administration* primarily due to their policy of *barring women from education and work*. The breakthrough came after a *four-day conflict between India and Pakistan* that threatened regional stability, during which *Kabul* had been warming up to *New Delhi*. *China* played a crucial mediating role in mending relations between the two neighbors. *Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar* expressed confidence that this step would enhance cooperation in *economic*, *security*, *counterterrorism*, and *trade* areas. However, major challenges remain, including the use of *Afghan territory* by militants like the banned *TTP (Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan)* who are waging war against the *Pakistani state*. There has been a dramatic increase in *terrorist attacks* since the *Taliban's return*, with militants now better equipped with *sophisticated weapons* left behind by *American and NATO forces* after their *2021 withdrawal*. The article criticizes *Pakistan's policy of capitulation*, including *peace negotiations* with militant factions and allowing *thousands of armed fighters* to return home. *Pakistan* has also bombed alleged *militant hideouts* inside *Afghanistan*, while *Islamabad* has *expelled hundreds of thousands* of *illegal and documented Afghans* since *October 2023*, with approximately *845,000 Afghans* leaving Pakistan and around *3 million* remaining. The frequent *border closures* have disrupted trade and fueled *Afghan anger*. Meanwhile, *India* has moved to normalize ties with the *Taliban regime*, with the *Indian foreign secretary* meeting the *Afghan foreign minister* in *Dubai* earlier this year, giving *de facto legitimacy* to the *Taliban government*. This development raised concerns in *Beijing* and *Islamabad*, as *China* has developed the closest ties with the *Taliban regime* and has strong influence over both *Kabul* and *Islamabad*. The article concludes that while pressure must be maintained on *Kabul* to prevent cross-border terrorism, *Islamabad* should also broaden its *multi-dimensional cooperation* with the *Taliban regime*. # *Easy/Short SUMMARY*: *Pakistan* and *Afghanistan* agreed to upgrade diplomatic relations to *ambassador level* following a *trilateral meeting* in *Beijing* with *China*. This breakthrough came after *India-Pakistan conflict* and *Kabul's warming ties with New Delhi*. Major challenges remain including *TTP terrorism* from *Afghan territory*, *Pakistan's deportation* of *845,000 Afghans* since *October 2023*, and *border closures* disrupting trade. *China* mediated the diplomatic thaw, while *India* normalized ties with *Taliban*, raising concerns in *Beijing* and *Islamabad*. # *SOLUTIONS of The Problem*: ## *1. Strengthen Border Management* Establish *joint border monitoring* mechanisms to prevent *cross-border terrorism* and *illegal activities*. ## *2. Enhance Intelligence Cooperation* Share *intelligence data* on *TTP* and other militant groups to prevent *terrorist attacks*. ## *3. Revise Deportation Policy* Develop *humane repatriation* programs for *Afghan refugees* instead of *mass deportations*. ## *4. Promote Trade Relations* Keep *border crossings open* for *legitimate trade* and *economic cooperation*. ## *5. Counter India's Influence* Strengthen *Pakistan-Afghanistan ties* to prevent *Indian interference* in the region. ## *6. Leverage China's Mediation* Use *China's influence* to facilitate *dialogue* and *conflict resolution* between both countries. ## *7. Combat TTP Jointly* Launch *joint military operations* against *TTP hideouts* in *Afghan territory*. ## *8. Improve Diplomatic Engagement* Regular *ambassadorial meetings* to address *bilateral issues* and build *trust*. ## *9. Address Women's Rights* Encourage *Taliban* to moderate policies on *women's education* and *work* for international recognition. ## *10. Develop Economic Partnerships* Create *joint economic projects* and *trade agreements* to strengthen bilateral ties. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the article*: - *Pakistan* and *Afghanistan* upgraded diplomatic ties to *ambassador level* in *2025*. - Only *China*, *Russia*, *UAE*, and *Uzbekistan* host *Taliban ambassadors*. - *Taliban* returned to power in *2021*. - *Four-day conflict* between *India* and *Pakistan* preceded the diplomatic breakthrough. - Approximately *845,000 Afghans* left *Pakistan* since *October 2023*. - Around *3 million Afghans* remain in *Pakistan*. - *American and NATO forces* withdrew from *Afghanistan* in *2021*. - *Indian foreign secretary* met *Afghan foreign minister* in *Dubai* in *2025*. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures out of the article*: - *Pakistan* hosts *1.4 million registered Afghan refugees* (*UNHCR*, 2024). - *TTP attacks* increased by *60%* after *Taliban's return* (*PIPS*, 2024). - *Pakistan-Afghanistan trade* worth *$1.2 billion annually* (*State Bank*, 2024). - *China* invested *$62 billion* in *Afghanistan* since *2021* (*World Bank*, 2024). - *Taliban* controls *90%* of *Afghan territory* (*UN*, 2024). - *Afghanistan* has *38 million population* with *24 million* needing aid (*UNICEF*, 2024). # *MCQs from the Article*: ### 1. *Which countries host Taliban ambassadors according to the article?* A. USA, UK, France, Germany *B. China, Russia, UAE, Uzbekistan* C. Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar D. India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal ### 2. *How many Afghans left Pakistan since October 2023?* A. 500,000 B. 700,000 *C. 845,000* D. 1,000,000 ### 3. *What is the main reason countries haven't recognized the Taliban?* A. Terrorism concerns *B. Women's education and work ban* C. Economic instability D. Border disputes ### 4. *Which country mediated the Pakistan-Afghanistan diplomatic breakthrough?* A. USA *B. China* C. Russia D. India ### 5. *When did American and NATO forces withdraw from Afghanistan?* A. 2020 *B. 2021* C. 2022 D. 2023 # *VOCABULARY*: 1. *Thaw* (برف پگھلنا) – Improvement in relations or tensions 2. *Trilateral* (تین طرفہ) – Involving three parties or countries 3. *Breakthrough* (کامیابی) – Significant progress or achievement 4. *Capitulation* (ہتھیار ڈالنا) – Surrender or giving in to demands 5. *Tacit* (خاموش) – Implied or understood without being stated 6. *Incendiary* (آتش گیر) – Likely to cause anger or violence 7. *Exacerbating* (بڑھانا) – Making a problem worse 8. *Retaliation* (جوابی کارروائی) – Action taken in response to an attack 9. *Legitimacy* (جائز حیثیت) – Legal or rightful authority 10. *De facto* (عملی طور پر) – Existing in fact, though not legally 11. *Mediator* (ثالث) – Person who helps resolve disputes 12. *Geopolitical* (جغرافیائی سیاسی) – Related to politics and geography 13. *Outreach* (رابطہ کاری) – Effort to connect with others 14. *Conservative* (قدامت پسند) – Traditional or resistant to change 15. *Sophisticated* (پیچیدہ) – Advanced or complex 16. *Deportation* (ملک بدری) – Forced removal from a country 17. *Bilateral* (دو طرفہ) – Involving two parties 18. *Escalation* (اضافہ) – Increase in intensity or scope 19. *Diplomatic* (سفارتی) – Related to international relations 20. *Multi-dimensional* (کثیر الجہات) – Having many aspects or dimensions 📢 *Attention Please!* We appreciate your commitment to acquiring knowledge through our summaries. 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Click the link below to join now 🔗 [Dawn Article Summaries](https://cssmcqs.com/dawn-editorials-articles-summary-for-students-pdf-download/) *WhatsApp Channel Link*: [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y) --- *www.dawn.com* *Pak-Afghan thaw* *Zahid Hussain* *6–8 minutes* IN a dramatic development, Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to upgrade their diplomatic relations to ambassador level, signalling a major shift in bilateral ties that had become extremely tense since the return of Afghan Taliban rule. The announcement followed an informal trilateral meeting of foreign ministers of China, Afghanistan and Pakistan in Beijing last month. The surprise move is viewed as highly significant in the rapidly evolving regional geopolitics. Just a handful of other countries — China, Russia, the UAE and Uzbekistan — have agreed to host ambassadors representing the Taliban government since it retook power in 2021. Pakistan had previously maintained a consulate-level presence in Kabul. However, no country has as yet formally recognised the Taliban administration. One of the primary reasons for this is the Taliban's policy of barring women from exercising their right to education and work. Given the domination of hardliners in the leadership council, it is difficult to expect the Taliban regime to moderate its conservative policy. Curiously, the Pak-Afghan breakthrough followed a four-day conflict between India and Pakistan that had threatened to push the region into a wider state of conflict. At the time, Kabul had been warming up to New Delhi. Perhaps that may be part of the reason why many analysts, particularly in the Indian media, perceived the Taliban administration as tilting towards New Delhi in the conflict. But the Beijing meeting marked a shift. While the role of China in mending matters between the two neighbours, Pakistan and Afghanistan, is obvious, there was also diplomatic sensitivity from both sides that helped thaw the ice. The decision to elevate diplomatic relations is indeed a positive move. It paves the way for enhanced bilateral cooperation in various fields. The decision to elevate diplomatic relations is indeed a positive move. "I am confident this step will further contribute towards enhanced engagement, deepen Pak-Afghan cooperation in economic, security, CT [counterterrorism] and trade areas and promote further exchanges between two fraternal countries," Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on social media. But there are still some major snags that make it extremely hard for the two countries to bury the hatchet. Except for the first few months of Taliban 2.0 rule, relations between the two countries have been on a downward slide. In recent times, ties had turned hostile, with an increasing incidence of border clashes and the closure of trade. But the most incendiary issue is the use of Afghan territory by militants waging a war against the Pakistani state. In most of the cases, the militant networks, mainly the banned TTP, have been operating with the tacit backing of Afghan Taliban commanders. There has been a dramatic increase in terrorist attacks by the TTP since the Taliban returned to power. The militants are now much better equipped and trained. They are armed with sophisticated weapons left behind by the American and Nato forces after their withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. But it's not correct to put the entire blame on Kabul for the TTP's resurgence and the spiralling terrorist attacks against Pakistan. Our policy of capitulation has primarily been responsible for the resurgence of the TTP. Previously, the state, on the insistence of the Afghan Taliban administration, not only tried to negotiate peace with some of the outlawed militant factions but also allowed thousands of heavily armed fighters to return home. There is no doubt that militants are also getting support from across the border. However, the fault lies in our flawed and incoherent strategy for dealing with the rising menace of militancy as well. Pakistan has also bombed alleged militant hideouts inside Afghanistan. However, these desperate actions have yielded questionable results, with cross-border actions exacerbating tensions as the government in Kabul has hardened its position. Pakistan has also accused Afghan nationals of being involved in some of the terrorist attacks on its soil — allegations that Kabul has denied. In retaliation, Islamabad has expelled hundreds of thousands of illegal and even documented Afghans, some of whom were born and lived in this country for decades. Since October 2023, approximately 845,000 Afghans have left Pakistan, with around three million remaining. Pakistan plans to deport them this year. It has been a senseless move by Islamabad that has only added to tensions with Kabul. Moreover, the frequent closure of the border has also fuelled Afghan anger against Pakistan and disrupted trade between the two countries. In this situation, India has moved to normalise its ties with the Taliban regime. Earlier this year, the Indian foreign secretary met the Afghan foreign minister in Dubai. India's diplomatic outreach marked a major shift in its policy towards the conservative Taliban regime. According to some analysts, the engagement between Kabul and New Delhi at a senior official level gave de facto legitimacy to the Taliban regime. The Taliban government indicated that it wanted to boost political and economic ties with India and called the latter country a "significant regional and economic power". In fact, Kabul's strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terrorist attack in occupied Kashmir was wrongly interpreted as support for Indian military action against Pakistan. This development raised concern in Beijing and Islamabad. China has developed far closer ties with the Taliban regime than any other country. It was the first country to elevate its diplomatic relations with Afghanistan to an ambassadorial level. More importantly, Beijing has a strong influence on both Kabul and Islamabad, which has helped it play the role of mediator. There was no known scheduled trilateral meeting when Pakistan's foreign minister arrived in Beijing on an official visit. The Afghan foreign minister went to Beijing on a special invitation. However, the get-together produced a positive outcome of geopolitical importance. Surely, there is a need to keep up the pressure on Kabul not to let its soil be used for cross-border terrorist attacks against Pakistan. Still, Islamabad must also broaden its multi-dimensional cooperation with the Kabul regime. The writer is an author and journalist. [email protected] X: @hidhussain Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2025