Iran And Pakistan’s Defence Against Afghan Instability – OpEd

Iran’s decision to construct a 300 km concrete wall with barbed wire along its border with Afghanistan is a significant geopolitical development. The $3 billion project, intended to curb cross-border terrorism, smuggling, and illegal immigration, particularly in the wake of the Taliban’s takeover in 2021, highlights the escalating security challenges in the region. Iran’s border fortification is part of a larger strategy aimed at protecting its citizens from the instability and threats emerging from Afghanistan.

In the initial stages, Iran has already completed over 10 kilometers of the wall and plans to fortify an additional 50 kilometers. The scale and scope of this project underscore the growing need for stronger border security, particularly given the perceived rise in terrorism and the unchecked movement of extremist groups across the Afghan border. The Iranian government views these measures as essential in safeguarding its citizens and territory from the spillover effects of terrorism and instability in Afghanistan. By constructing this wall, Iran reinforces the fundamental right of every nation to protect its borders and ensure the safety of its people.

This development also draws attention to the broader regional implications of the Taliban’s control over Afghanistan and the inability of the Interim Afghan Government (IAG) to rein in threats from terrorist groups such as Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP), and others. These organizations continue to operate freely within Afghanistan’s borders, posing a persistent threat to neighboring countries. Historically, neighboring countries did not feel the need to construct physical barriers along their borders with Afghanistan. However, the growing menace of terrorism has forced both Iran and Pakistan to take defensive measures, with border fortification now viewed as a necessity rather than a choice.

Iran’s proactive stance in building the border wall is not an isolated event but part of a larger regional trend. The fear of terrorism spreading from Afghanistan is a shared concern for all neighboring countries. As terrorist groups find sanctuary in Afghanistan, the risks to regional security have amplified. Iran’s decision to build a wall reflects its desire to protect its citizens from potential terrorist attacks, which, if left unchecked, could destabilize the country further. This move also brings into focus the urgent need for a collective regional approach to combat the threats emanating from Afghanistan. Neighboring countries, including Pakistan, face similar threats and have had to adopt their own border security measures.

Pakistan, like Iran, has faced ongoing challenges related to cross-border terrorism, illegal immigration, and smuggling. The presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan, particularly the TTP and ISKP, poses a direct threat to Pakistan’s security. However, while Iran’s border fortification efforts are viewed as a legitimate means of defense, Pakistan’s similar actions are often unfairly criticized. Pakistan has been vilified for protecting its sovereignty, with its border security measures frequently labeled as aggressive or hostile. This selective criticism reveals a global prejudice against Pakistan’s legitimate efforts to secure its borders and protect its citizens from cross-border threats.

The construction of border walls and fortifications by both Iran and Pakistan highlights the international community’s double standards when it comes to assessing border security efforts. While Iran’s measures are largely accepted as a necessary defense against terrorism, Pakistan’s actions are scrutinized and condemned. This bias holds Pakistan to an unfairly higher standard, ignoring the very real security challenges the country faces. Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan has been a focal point for terrorist activity, and like any sovereign nation, Pakistan has the right to protect its borders and ensure the safety of its people.

The situation in Afghanistan, under the control of the IAG, has exacerbated regional security concerns. The IAG’s failure to address the activities of terror groups operating within its borders has had far-reaching consequences. Had the IAG taken decisive action against these groups, the situation in the region could have been markedly different. The billions of dollars that Iran, Pakistan, and other neighboring countries are now spending on border fortifications could have been allocated to improving trade and connectivity in the region, fostering economic growth and stability. Instead, the persistent threat of terrorism has diverted resources towards defensive measures, further straining the economies of these countries.

Iran’s decision to build a border wall with Afghanistan not only underscores the immediate security concerns but also signals the growing frustration of neighboring countries with the IAG’s inability to control extremist groups. The wall represents a necessary step to prevent the infiltration of terrorist elements and illegal immigrants into Iran, but it also serves as a reminder of the broader regional instability that has plagued Afghanistan for decades. The wall is a physical manifestation of the region’s collective response to the ongoing threat posed by Afghanistan’s internal instability.

Ultimately, Iran’s construction of a 300 km border wall with Afghanistan is a strategic response to the increasing security threats emanating from Afghanistan. This project is not merely about preventing illegal immigration and smuggling but represents a broader effort to protect Iran’s sovereignty and citizens from the rising tide of terrorism. As Iran moves forward with its border fortification efforts, it also highlights the regional dimension of the threat, with neighboring countries like Pakistan facing similar challenges. Both Iran and Pakistan’s border security measures are necessary defensive actions, and the international community must recognize the legitimacy of these efforts rather than subject them to selective criticism. The region’s security depends on a united approach to tackling the challenges posed by terrorist groups operating in Afghanistan, and border fortifications are a critical part of that strategy.