The crisis in Afghanistan has had the greatest impact on Pakistan, which has suffered economic, security, and refugee challenges, challenging Pakistan’s resources and contributing to regional instability. Pakistan has for decades been hurt by its neighbor’s unending turmoil, even when Pakistan is not responsible for starting the crisis. All of these have generated a ripple effect on the economy, internal security and social fabric of Pakistan due to Afghanistan’s ongoing conflict, foreign interventions and political instability.

The most significant burden Pakistan has borne on account of Afghanistan’s instability is human and economic cost. Pakistan has paid a steep cost for the spills of terror and conflict from Afghanistan, the loss of over 80,000 lives. Moreover, the country has been hit by over $450 billion in overwhelming economic loss, an amount exponentially larger than any aid was possible. Instability of Afghanistan has serious implications beyond military operations, it has disappointed not only the process of trade and investment but social progress in Pakistan. During this period (2001-2017), Pakistan lost $123.2 billion except for those billions spent on war efforts, in annual loss of $7.7 billion. This is economic damage that is worse than Pakistan’s combined expenditure on education, health and social welfare thus negatively impacting Pakistan’s development trajectory.

Nearly 80 percent of the US financial assistance to Pakistan was paid out in the form of reimbursements through the Coalition Support Fund (CSF)

While Pakistan got roughly $34 billion in aid from U.S. money, that total is as a lot nothing in comparison with the billions Pakistan misplaced because of Afghanistan’s instability. Instead of directly aiding in the aftermath of the war on terror, nearly 80 percent of the US financial assistance to Pakistan was paid out in the form of reimbursements through the Coalition Support Fund (CSF). Since the beginning of Afghanistan’s crisis, Pakistan has shouldered the disproportionate burden of it. Even though Pakistan has sacrificed a lot, it has not been recognized on international level or given proper compensation for its losses.

Afghanistan’s instability has also had severe disruption consequences on infrastructure and social services in Pakistan. As the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) fleeing the violence is currently in the millions, it adds further complexity to the over expanded social service system. The invasion of the Afghan refugees in Pakistan over the past decades has put great pressure on its economy since refugees increased the number of additional people on its limited resources and created tensions into its society and caused change in the demographic of Pakistan. Further, the protracted Afghanistan refugee stay has augmented housing, education, and jobs, as well as public health challenges in Pakistan, all of which are causing it to become increasingly difficult for Pakistan to sustain economic viability and social cohesion.

The infiltration and integration of extremist ideologies, brought to Pakistan virtually as a by-product of the AFP, have come from the Afghan conflict

Apart from its socio-economic impact, the turmoil in Afghanistan has hastened Pakistan society to become radicalized and extremism and sectarian violence has surfaced. The threats that have now started to pose serious long-term issues to internal security are the infiltration and integration of extremist ideologies, brought to Pakistan virtually as a by-product of the AFP, having come from the Afghan conflict. The internal stability of Pakistan has further slipped into debilitation due to terrorist attacks, suicide bombings and insurgencies. An opportunity to attack Pakistan from inside was created by militant groups across the border in Afghanistan and they are not yet gone.

The global investors, which have now driven away from Pakistan, is chiefly caused by the lengthy crisis in Afghanistan. For Western countries, one of the reasons that has posed as a difficulty to invest in Pakistan is the security risk caused by the region’s instability. Although Pakistan is absolutely committed to fighting terrorism and fortifying regional security, it has not been able to win the trust of the world community and the economic opportunities that it deserved. Due to the continuous instability in Afghanistan, Pakistan has not been able to take full advantage of its potential as a trade and economic gate way in South Asia. Pakistan is locked out of the global investment opportunities and the economic and industrial growth continues to remain stagnant due to the persistent turmoil.

The world has mostly put Afghanistan’s crisis behind it, but Pakistan is ensnared by the aftermath — in a war that never belonged to it in the first place

No dimension of Pakistanis suffering from rivals has the magnitude in comparison to the sheer opportunities lost because of instability in Afghanistan. The economic damage, social strain and the security threat have taken Pakistan back decades, and they say recovery will be an uphill battle. Afghan conflict has ripple effects which continue to haunt Pakistan, hindering its progress while undoing its chances of enduring stability in the long run. The world has mostly put Afghanistan’s crisis behind it, but Pakistan is ensnared by the aftermath — in a war that never belonged to it in the first place.

The stability of Pakistan is interlinked with Afghanistan’s peace, and it cannot be achieved without addressing the root causes of the crisis, and unless it does so, Pakistan will continue to suffer 

Pakistan must be appreciated for its sacrifices and full support must be provided based on Pakistan’s losses. A stable Afghanistan is essential for Pakistan’s security and economic revival, which is also the case going forward. For the world to recognize that the stability of Pakistan is interlinked with Afghanistan’s peace, and it cannot be achieved without addressing the root causes of the crisis, and unless it does so, Pakistan will continue to suffer from the consequences of its neighbor’s instability. For Pakistan, Afghanistan’s crisis has been nothing less than a crisis of its own and only a collective international effort, sustainable policies and true international support can help Pakistan overcome the worst of it.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.