A Pakistani scholar argues that the Afghanistan situation post-2021 has made Pakistan both more strategically valuable and more strategically burdened. Pakistan is the primary transit state for humanitarian aid into Afghanistan and the primary host of Afghan refugees, yet faces TTP cross-border attacks originating from Afghan soil. How does this dual role affect Pakistan's leverage in SCO?
Q1. A Pakistani scholar argues that the Afghanistan situation post-2021 has made Pakistan both more strategically valuable and more strategically burdened. Pakistan is the primary transit state for humanitarian aid into Afghanistan and the primary host of Afghan refugees, yet faces TTP cross-border attacks originating from Afghan soil. How does this dual role affect Pakistan's leverage in SCO?
Answer: Pakistan's indispensability as the gateway to Afghanistan gives it bargaining power in SCO discussions on Afghan stabilisation, but the TTP threat simultaneously constrains Pakistan's ability to advocate for Afghan engagement without appearing inconsistent
Explanation: Pakistan's indispensable role as Afghanistan's primary gateway provides SCO bargaining leverage on Afghan stabilisation, but the TTP threat forces Pakistan to simultaneously demand action against Afghan-based militants, creating a visible policy tension.