Pak-Afghan Relations after 9/11: Irritants and Prospects of Cooperation

The paper aims to explore the irritants and opportunities of Pak-Afghan relations after 9/11 period. The paper found that the post 9/11 period involved Pakistan deeply in the peace process and eradication of terrorist activities in the region due to the strategic depth of Pakistan. As a result, Pakistan relations with Afghanistan suffered badly. For the sake of regional peace and harmony, Pakistan’s role in US led coalition against terrorism in Afghanistan has been inevitable, however, it resulted counter-productive in respect to Pak-Afghan relations. The paper is qualitative in nature which has focused the historical facts and events of Pak-Afghan relations to trace out the question which factors remained the main hindrance towards to establishment of friendly Pak-Afghan relations. The paper also suggests that friendly Pak-Afghan relations are in the larger interest of both states since collaboration and cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan does not ensure peace in the region, they also can be the greatest economic and political partners of the region.