On Thursday, 7^th August, 2025, Ambassador (R) Mansoor Ahmad Khan, delivered a lecture on “Pakistan’s Relations with Afghanistan” for the participants of the 38^th Senior Management Course (SMC) at the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA), Lahore.

Discussing various dimensions of Pak-Afghan relations, Ambassador Khan emphasized the need for contextual framing of Pak-Afghan relations given their geographic location, strategic importance, and the broader dynamics of the geopolitical theatre. He noted that despite fluctuations in bilateral relations, certain constants have remained, including centuries-old tribal ties transcending borders, and opposing positions of the two countries on nature of the border between them. He also discussed the mutual mistrust between the two countries, especially post-2001, the impact of Western military presence, and Indian machinations in Afghanistan. He said that the successive Afghan governments have tried to shed the stigma that Afghanistan is controlled by Pakistan.

Nothing that the tacit support of the current Afghan regime for TTP is not serving Pakistan’s interests, Ambassador Khan stressed that peace and security in Pakistan, particularly in provinces bordering Afghanistan, are inextricably linked to the situation in Afghanistan. On the refugee issue, he highlighted that Pakistan’s long-standing role in hosting Afghan refugees has earned it global goodwill and international repute. He observed that trade, business, and connectivity could have been a catalyst for improving relations, and increasing Pakistan’s leverage in the region. However, their potential remains unrealized. He suggested a change in Pakistan’s security-centric approach towards Afghanistan to a geo-economics strategy.

The lecture was followed by an intensive Q&A session.