Systemic displacement of Afghans amid Pakistan border militarisation reveals colonial-era border legacies and geopolitical resource wars

The Durand Line’s colonial imposition (1893) severed Pashtun tribal lands, creating a permanent state of exception where indigenous communities are treated as 'illegal' on either side. Pashtun *jirgas* (traditional councils) historically resolved conflicts through dialogue, but these mechanisms are now sidelined in favor of military solutions. Indigenous knowledge of seasonal migration routes and water-sharing agreements could mitigate displacement if integrated into policy, yet this is ignored by state actors prioritising securitisation over community resilience.

The Durand Line is a relic of British colonial divide-and-rule tactics, designed to weaken Pashtun resistance to imperial control. Post-9/11, the U.S. and Pakistan revived this legacy by framing the region as a 'terrorist haven,' justifying drone strikes and border militarisation that displaced millions. Historical parallels include the 1980s Soviet-Afghan War, which triggered a similar refugee crisis, and the 1947 Partition of India, where arbitrary borders led to decades of violence and displacement.

Pashtun communities in Afghanistan and Pakistan share language, poetry, and kinship ties that transcend national borders, yet these connections are systematically undermined by state policies. In contrast, Western media often portrays Pashtuns as 'tribal' or 'backward,' obscuring their sophisticated governance systems. Comparatively, Indigenous Māori in Aotearoa/New Zealand have resisted colonial borders through legal challenges and cultural revival, offering a model for transborder solidarity.

Research from the *Journal of Refugee Studies* shows that militarised borders increase displacement by disrupting traditional livelihoods and social networks. A 2023 study in *Nature Climate Change* links resource scarcity (e.g., water shortages) to conflict in the region, yet this is rarely discussed in displacement narratives. The UNHCR’s data on Afghan refugees (1.6 million in Pakistan) confirms cyclical displacement, but lacks analysis of how climate change exacerbates these trends.

Pashtun poetry, such as the works of Rahman Baba, often laments the loss of homeland and the pain of separation, themes that resonate with the current crisis. Sufi shrines along the Durand Line, like the one in Hangu, serve as spiritual refuges for displaced communities, blending Islamic and pre-Islamic traditions. Artistic expressions, from embroidery to music, document the trauma of displacement but are rarely centred in policy discussions, which prioritise economic or security metrics over cultural healing.

Scenario modelling by the *International Crisis Group* predicts that without demilitarisation, displacement will worsen due to climate-induced water scarcity and economic collapse. A 2025 report by the *Wilson Center* suggests that investing in cross-border Pashtun-led peace initiatives could reduce conflict by 30% within a decade. Alternative futures include 'peace parks' along the Durand Line, where indigenous communities manage shared resources, but this requires dismantling securitisation narratives.

Pashtun women, who traditionally play key roles in mediation and economic networks, are disproportionately affected by displacement but rarely consulted in policy decisions. Afghan refugees in Pakistan face systemic discrimination, including restrictions on education and employment, which trap them in cycles of poverty. Youth-led movements, like the *Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM)*, have exposed state violence but are often labelled as 'anti-state' to silence them.