Security and Economic Prospects of Fencing Along Pak-Afghan Border

Abstract

Every border strategy is fixed in between two fears: security failures and economic crises. Durand Line and its unprincipled monitoring remained most disruptive bilateral issue between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Despite full scale kinetic operations in tribal areas of Pakistan Army, series of deadliest terror attacks across Pakistan shattered resilience of nation and forced her armed forces to install security fence as a “Need” rather than “Option”. Continuous sense of insecurity among populace and economic instability forced nuclear armed Pakistan to permanently protect her 2430 kilometers western border from illegal / sponsored movement of hardcore terrorists, smugglers and drug cartels. At present, installation of security fence and maintenance of effective border management system along Durand Line are contributing significantly in improving internal security situation and economic disparities which will systematically enhance friendly diplomatic relations, security collaboration and economic cooperation with Afghanistan in near future whereas in parallel also playing considerable role to encounter anti-Pakistan propaganda / security and economic proxies of hostile intelligence agencies.