PAKISTAN’S ROLE IN THE AFGHANISTAN PEACE PROCESS: SUCCESSES, CHALLENGES, AND FUTURE PROSPECTS ABSTRACT

Abstract

Afghanistan has remained a central security and diplomatic concern for Pakistan for more than four decades. Ongoing instability, cross border militancy, refugee flows, and regional power competition have repeatedly linked Afghan peace outcomes with Pakistan’s internal security and foreign policy priorities. This study examines Pakistan’s role in the Afghanistan peace process by assessing its major successes, persistent challenges, and future prospects. Using a qualitative descriptive analytical research design, the study relies on secondary data drawn from peer reviewed academic literature, government reports, policy documents, and reputable international sources. The findings show that Pakistan has played a decisive but contested role as a facilitator of dialogue, a diplomatic intermediary, and a regional stakeholder. While Pakistan’s engagement contributed to key peace initiatives, including support for negotiation frameworks and regional consensus building, its role has also been constrained by mistrust, regional rivalries, internal security threats, and conflicting international narratives. The study further argues that Pakistan’s future effectiveness in the Afghan peace process depends on policy coherence, regional cooperation, and a shift from security centered engagement toward economic and diplomatic integration. The article contributes to the literature by offering a structured and balanced evaluation of Pakistan’s involvement and by identifying policy relevant pathways for sustainable peace in Afghanistan.