Key Points:

• For Pakistan, Afghanistan as a peaceful neighbour presents the prospects of regional connectivity and bilateral economic partnership, delineating economic and political dividends for both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
• Pakistan needs to exert a consistent yet measured pressure on the Afghan Taliban to commit to human security and develop a conciliatory outlook with the Afghan government.
• Islamabad ought to forgo its historical security-centric approach. Bilateral trade can serve as a suitable premise for establishing a working relationship with the politically negotiated Kabul government.
• Pakistan may face several challenges in Afghanistan, including cross-border terrorism, decreasing market share in Afghanistan, and the Islamic State’s presence there. Also, refugees’ repatriation and Pakistan’s proxy warfare with India are crucial issues.
• Considering the linguistic and cultural similarity between Pakistan and several Afghan ethnicities, Pakistan can initiate research and development projects based on primary resources.
• Despite Pakistan’s active contribution in the Afghan peacemaking process, a long-term engagement with Afghanistan hinges on Islamabad’s peacebuilding efforts there.