Pakistan Resirts to Old Playbook in Afghanistan As Influence Slips, Report Claims A report claims that Pakistan may adopt a soft stance toward terrorist groups like ISKP to maintain its leverage in Afghanistan as its traditional influence wanes. Witnessing its long-standing leverage diminish within neighboring Afghanistan, Pakistan appears to be slipping back into its old and controversial playbook. According to a recent report, Islamabad might adopt a lenient attitude toward specific militant networks to sustain its strategic dominance over Kabul. At the center of this evolving geopolitical maneuvering is the Islamic State Khorasan Province, commonly known as ISKP, with intelligence and security observations linking parts of its operational network directly to Pakistani territory. Militant Footprint and Severe Allegations From the Taliban Analysts point out that the ISKP network continues to maintain active cells within Pakistan's Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. The report asserts that certain elements embedded within the Pakistani security apparatus have allegedly provided opportunities for these networks to operate and regroup. Meanwhile, diplomatic and security ties between the Taliban administration and Islamabad have deteriorated significantly over recent months. The Taliban has repeatedly accused Pakistan of harboring and permitting ISKP elements to flourish on its soil. The report specifically highlights ISKP commander Sanaullah Ghafari, noting that the Taliban has claimed Ghafari frequently travels through ISKP-linked safe havens located inside Pakistan. Demonstrating its intent, the Taliban asserted that it launched targeted operations in June against suspected ISKP strongholds situated across Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Strategic Depth Doctrine and Rising Border Tensions Historically, Pakistani military planners operated under the doctrine of strategic depth, an approach designed to secure a friendly administration in Kabul that would serve Islamabad's regional interests. The core assumption was that having a compliant government on its western flank would grant Pakistan strategic advantages against India while securing its borders. However, the return of the Taliban to power in August 2021 completely upended those calculations. Pakistan initially expected the new regime in Kabul to recognize the Durand Line and take decisive action against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. Instead, the Taliban prioritized its own independent sovereign policies. Consequently, bilateral relations devolved into a cycle of escalating hostility marked by border skirmishes, airstrikes, and economic pressure points between the two neighbors. The ISKP Factor and the Significance of the Wakhan Corridor This dynamic introduces a volatile security equation. For the Taliban, both the TTP and ISKP represent severe internal threats, yet ISKP remains fundamentally opposed to the Taliban's rule on ideological grounds. While the Taliban focuses on consolidating its governance across Afghanistan, ISKP subscribes to a global jihadist ideology and rejects the legitimacy of the Taliban government entirely. Since retaking power in 2021, the Taliban has sustained aggressive crackdowns against ISKP. Consequently, the report suggests that if Pakistan chooses to harbor or tacitly accommodate ISKP elements, it could leverage the group to mount pressure against the Taliban administration, inadvertently strengthening active militant networks across the region. Amidst this complex web of hostilities, the Wakhan Corridor emerges as a crucial geopolitical pivot. This narrow strip of Afghan territory links directly to China's Xinjiang region. According to official findings, Afghan authorities are currently constructing a strategic road toward the Chinese border, with officials reporting in May 2026 that roughly 70 percent of the construction work had been completed. If this corridor becomes fully operational, Afghanistan will no longer rely heavily on Pakistani transit routes for international trade and cargo movement. This looming transformation represents a major strategic anxiety for Islamabad, as its current monopoly over Afghan transit routes grants it immense leverage. A direct overland connection to China would substantially diminish Pakistan's regional clout. Furthermore, the broader question of Pakistan's utility to Beijing remains tied to these developments. The analysis suggests that if disruptions occur within the Wakhan Corridor, disrupting direct Sino-Afghan connectivity, Islamabad could retain its value to China by presenting itself as an indispensable regional intermediary. Ultimately, the unfolding rivalry extends far beyond bilateral tensions, intertwining global trade corridors, Chinese infrastructure ambitions, and shifting regional alignments. What this means for you Rising regional instability and diplomatic frictions directly impact cross-border trade routes and security frameworks across South Asia. • Across India: Security agencies maintain heightened vigilance along western and northern frontiers in response to evolving geopolitical maneuvers and militant strategies in neighboring territories. • Economic Impact: Persistent bilateral tensions and trade bottlenecks risk disrupting regional supply chains and affecting cross-border commercial activities. • Trade Routes: The ongoing development of the Wakhan Corridor threatens to bypass traditional transit monopolies, altering long-term economic corridors. • Security Environment: Reports of tacit support for extremist networks heighten regional security anxieties, prompting intensified intelligence monitoring. Questions & Answers 1. What strategy is Pakistan reportedly adopting to maintain influence in Afghanistan? According to reports, Pakistan may adopt a soft stance toward terrorist groups like ISKP to sustain its dominance in Afghanistan. 2. What major accusation has the Taliban leveled against Pakistan? The Taliban has accused Pakistan of permitting ISKP elements to find sanctuary and flourish on Pakistani territory. 3. What is the Wakhan Corridor and why is it significant? The Wakhan Corridor is a narrow strip of Afghan territory connecting directly to China's Xinjiang region, serving as a vital potential trade route. 4. What progress was reported regarding the Wakhan Corridor project by May 2026? Afghan officials stated that roughly 70 percent of the construction work on the corridor project had been completed by May 2026. https://trendkia.com/en/pakistan/pakistan-resirts-to-old-playbook-in-afghanistan-as-influence-slips-report-claims-24308 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.