Pakistan Military Intensifies Afghan Operations After Diplomatic Recognition, Report Claims

Pakistan’s military establishment, often described as a “State sponsor of proxies,” operates in practice as a proxy force backed by its own state apparatus, according to a report in the Eurasia Review. The report argues that civilian governments serve primarily as diplomatic cover, while the army maintains strategic control and leverages international validation to intensify coercive actions against Afghanistan.

The report notes that the military regime has historically used Afghanistan as a controlled battlefield, seeking to limit Afghan sovereignty and prevent independent regional policies. This approach is frequently justified in the language of “strategic depth,” “counterterrorism,” or security along the Line of Control and Durand Line. In practice, it has followed a recurring pattern: building proxies, weaponising instability, offering solutions to external powers, and resetting crises whenever Afghanistan appears to act independently.

Recent escalations—including airstrikes, drone attacks, and cross-border violence—reflect this long-standing strategy. The report highlights a recurring pattern linking international validation with subsequent military action: instances where Pakistani leadership, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, receive public praise from foreign leaders, notably former US President Donald Trump, are often followed by cross-border operations in Afghanistan resulting in civilian casualties, as documented by UN-linked sources and media outlets.

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The report emphasises that Pakistan’s military does not require explicit written approval to act; rather, diplomatic signals such as public praise, photo-ops, and recognition shape operational freedom. These signals effectively grant the military room to act aggressively while maintaining the appearance of cooperation with the international community.

According to the analysis, this validation creates an asymmetry in regional perception: Islamabad is framed as a legitimate counter-terror partner, while Kabul is positioned primarily as a source of instability. The report warns that such narratives make it easier for Pakistan to violate Afghan sovereignty and conduct military operations with civilian casualties without facing significant international scrutiny.

Overall, the report portrays Pakistan’s military regime as leveraging global diplomatic endorsement to justify and intensify interventions in Afghanistan, perpetuating cycles of instability while projecting an image of international legitimacy.

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