Oral Presentation on the Afghanistan-Pakistan Conflict .pdf

Oral Presentation on the Afghanistan-Pakistan Con ict Part 1: Geography The Afghanistan-Pakistan con ict is deeply rooted in geographical disputes, particularly involving the Durand Line, a border demarcation established in 1893 between British Indi...

Oral Presentation on the Afghanistan-Pakistan Con ict Part 1: Geography The Afghanistan-Pakistan con ict is deeply rooted in geographical disputes, particularly involving the Durand Line, a border demarcation established in 1893 between British India and Afghanistan. This border, now the international boundary between Afghanistan and Pakistan, cuts through the Pushtun tribal areas, creating signi cant ethnic and territorial tensions. The North West Frontier Province (NWFP), known today as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is predominantly Pushtun and was allocated to Pakistan during the 1947 partition of India, a decision rejected by Afghanistan. The rugged, mountainous terrain of this region has not only complicated border control but also facilitated insurgency and cross-border militancy, further in aming the con ict. Part 2: History The roots of the Afghanistan-Pakistan con ict trace back to the mid-18th century with the Durrani Empire's expansion into northwest India. The modern interstate con ict began in 1947 with the creation of Pakistan and India. The NWFP was incorporated into Pakistan following a British- supervised referendum, which Afghanistan rejected. The con ict intensi ed in 1949 when Afghanistan renounced the Durand Line as a legitimate border. Throughout the 1950s and 60s, tensions escalated with periodic Afghan military incursions and retaliatory actions by Pakistan. The relationship soured further when Afghanistan sought Soviet aid after Pakistan cut o trade routes. The con ict reached a critical point during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, with Pakistan supporting Afghan Mujahideen ghters, marking a period of intense proxy warfare. Part 3: Politics The political dynamics of the con ict involve a series of strategic decisions and alignments by both countries. Afghanistan's refusal to recognize the Durand Line and its support for a separate Pushtun state, Pakhtunkhwa, have been central to the con ict. Pakistan, on the other hand, has leveraged its relationship with the United States to bolster its military capabilities. The Afghan alignment with the Soviet Union in the 1950s and 60s further complicated the relationship. Key political gures in Afghanistan, such as Muhammad Daoud Khan and King Zahir Shah, played crucial roles in shaping the country's stance. In Pakistan, leaders like Zul kar Ali Bhutto and General Zia-ul-Haq navigated the con ict through a mix of military aggression and diplomatic maneuvers. The involvement of external powers, particularly the US and USSR, has been signi cant, often exacerbating the con ict through proxy wars and military aid. Part 4: Facts 1. Duration: The con ict has persisted for over seven decades, starting in 1947 and remaining unresolved. 2. Key Figures: Important leaders include Muhammad Daoud Khan, King Zahir Shah of Afghanistan, and Zul kar Ali Bhutto and General Zia-ul-Haq of Pakistan. 3. Interventions: The United States and the Soviet Union played major roles, with the US supporting Pakistan and the USSR backing Afghanistan. 4. Key Events: - 1947: Partition of India and creation of Pakistan, leading to the disputed incorporation of NWFP into Pakistan. - 1949: Afghanistan's formal renunciation of the Durand Line. - 1955: Pakistan's "One Unit" scheme, merging NWFP with other provinces, further aggravating Afghanistan. - 1979-1989: Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, with Pakistan supporting Mujahideen ghters. 5. Current Status: The con ict remains unresolved but dormant, with no major interstate crises since 1961. fi fi fl fl fi fl fl fl fi fl fl fi fl fl fl fl fl fi fi fl fl fi ff  6. Impact: The con ict has resulted in periodic violence, signi cant military expenditure, and ongoing political and ethnic tensions. Conclusion: The Afghanistan-Pakistan con ict began with territorial and ethnic disputes rooted in colonial-era border demarcations, continued through decades of proxy wars and shifting alliances, and has persisted due to entrenched political positions and unresolved territorial claims. The involvement of external powers has often exacerbated the situation, preventing a lasting resolution. Despite being dormant for several decades, the con ict remains unresolved, highlighting the enduring challenges of addressing historical grievances and geopolitical rivalries in South Asia. The path to resolution will require signi cant changes in the political stances of both nations and a concerted e ort towards reconciliation and mutual recognition of each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity. ff fl fi fl fl fi