Durrani Urges Softer Policy Toward Afghanistan

DID Press: Former Pakistani special envoy for Afghanistan Asif Durrani called on Islamabad to adopt a softer, more pragmatic approach toward Kabul, stressing that Afghanistan is a “brother nation” facing profound difficulties and needs engagement rather than pressure.

In a New Year message shared on X, Durrani warned that abandoning Afghanistan amid its current political, economic, and humanitarian crises could generate wider instability across the region. A heavy-handed policy, he said, would neither resolve the country’s problems nor enhance Pakistan’s security, and could instead fuel volatility along the shared border.

Describing Afghanistan as a “sick brother,” Durrani argued that Pakistan should behave like a “big brother with a generous heart,” using dialogue, compassion, and regional cooperation to build trust and win Afghan public support.

He also urged reconciliation within Pakistan, saying political disputes should be addressed through negotiation, and called on state institutions to remain focused on their constitutional responsibilities and avoid involvement in politics. Governance, he added, must be rooted in the collective wisdom of the nation expressed through its elected representatives, with the rule of law as the guiding principle.

Durrani further emphasized the importance of regional rapprochement, acknowledging it is “difficult but possible,” and said even small steps of dialogue and confidence-building could help resolve long-standing disputes among neighboring countries.