Pakistan’s Foreign Policy Responses to Taliban Governance in Afghanistan: Implications for Regional Stability and Security

Abstract

The evolving political and security dynamics in Afghanistan have significantly shaped Pakistan’s foreign policy and regional interactions. Understanding these dynamics is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of Pakistan’s strategic, diplomatic, and security responses. This study examines Pakistan’s foreign policy and security strategies toward Afghanistan, focusing on strategic and security determinants, regional stability implications, and the effectiveness of diplomatic and security measures. It aims to explore how threat perception, power balancing, and pragmatic engagement influence policy formulation and regional outcomes. A qualitative approach was adopted using a systematic literature review guided by the PRISMA framework. Ten peer-reviewed studies on Pakistan–Afghanistan relations, regional security, and policy effectiveness were systematically identified, screened, and analyzed. Thematic analysis was used to categorize findings into three main themes: strategic and security determinants of foreign policy, implications for regional stability, and effectiveness of diplomatic and security measures. The study finds that Pakistan’s foreign policy is predominantly security-driven, shaped by cross-border militancy, regional rivalries, and strategic calculation. Diplomatic and security measures mitigate immediate threats, but structural, governance, and regional coordination challenges limit long-term effectiveness. Pragmatic engagement with Afghanistan is necessary but insufficient for sustained stability. The study highlights a realist-based understanding of Pakistan’s foreign policy, emphasizing the importance of integrated, context-sensitive, and multilateral strategies to maintain sustainable regional stability.