FPSC (Federal Public Service Commission) · CSS (Central Superior Services)
Pakistan–Afghanistan Relations
Foreign Policy of Pakistan
· Pakistan Studies/Affairs
50 MCQs
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of 50 MCQs
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1
Which country was the only one to oppose Pakistan's membership in the United Nations in 1947?
Answer:
Afghanistan
On September 30, 1947, Afghanistan was the only country to vote against Pakistan's admission to the United Nations. This opposition was rooted in the Afghan government's refusal to recognize the Durand Line as the international border and its support for the 'Pashtunistan' movement, marking the beginning of a long-standing territorial dispute.
2
The border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, known as the Durand Line, was established in which year?
Answer:
1893
The Durand Line was established in 1893 following an agreement between Sir Mortimer Durand, representing British India, and Amir Abdur Rahman Khan of Afghanistan. While Pakistan inherited this border as the legal international boundary in 1947, successive Afghan governments have contested its legitimacy, claiming it was a temporary arrangement.
3
The 'Pashtunistan' issue historically refers to the demand for:
Answer:
An independent state for Pashtun tribes on both sides of the Durand Line
Pashtunistan was a nationalist concept supported by Afghanistan in the early decades after 1947. It called for the creation of an independent homeland for Pashtun people residing in the North-West Frontier Province (now KP) and Balochistan, which Pakistan viewed as a direct threat to its territorial integrity.
4
Which agreement, signed in 1965 and revised in 2010, governs the movement of Afghan goods through Pakistani territory?
The Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) allows landlocked Afghanistan to use Pakistani ports and land routes for international trade. The original 1965 agreement was updated in 2010 to include more modern trade protocols, though it remains a subject of frequent diplomatic and economic negotiation regarding smuggling and port duties.
5
Following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, Pakistan adopted which role in the conflict?
Answer:
Became a 'Frontline State' supporting the Afghan Mujahideen
After the 1979 Soviet invasion, Pakistan, under General Zia-ul-Haq, became a crucial ally of the United States and Saudi Arabia. It provided sanctuary, training, and logistical support to the Afghan Mujahideen resistance, leading to a massive influx of millions of Afghan refugees into Pakistan's border regions.
6
The 'Geneva Accords' of 1988 were primarily concerned with:
Answer:
The withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan
The Geneva Accords were signed in April 1988 by Pakistan and Afghanistan, with the US and USSR as guarantors. The accords provided a timetable for the withdrawal of Soviet forces, which was completed in 1989. However, the failure to establish a stable coalition government in Kabul led to a devastating civil war in the following years.
7
In the mid-1990s, Pakistan was one of only three countries to officially recognize which government in Kabul?
Answer:
The Taliban (Islamic Emirate)
When the Taliban first took control of Kabul in 1996, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates were the only three nations to grant them formal diplomatic recognition. Pakistan viewed a Taliban-led government as a way to ensure 'strategic depth' and stability on its western border after years of civil unrest.
8
Following the 9/11 attacks, Pakistan's policy toward Afghanistan shifted due to its participation in:
Answer:
The Global War on Terror (GWOT)
In 2001, President Pervez Musharraf made a strategic U-turn, ending support for the Taliban and joining the US-led Global War on Terror. Pakistan became a Major Non-NATO Ally, providing air corridors and logistical supply lines (GLOCs) for NATO forces in Afghanistan while simultaneously facing internal blowback from militant groups.
9
Which Afghan President, serving from 2004 to 2014, frequently accused Pakistan of providing safe havens to the Taliban?
Answer:
Hamid Karzai
Hamid Karzai's presidency was marked by high tension with Islamabad. He repeatedly alleged that the 'Quetta Shura' and other Taliban leadership structures were operating from within Pakistan. This era saw a 'blame game' that hindered regional cooperation despite numerous summits and peace initiatives.
10
Pakistan facilitated the landmark 2020 'Doha Accord' between which two parties?
Answer:
The United States and the Afghan Taliban
Pakistan played a pivotal role in bringing the United States and the Afghan Taliban to the negotiating table in Qatar. The resulting Doha Agreement, signed in February 2020, set the stage for the withdrawal of US and NATO troops from Afghanistan and was hailed as a major diplomatic success for Pakistan’s regional policy.
11
What significant change occurred in Kabul on August 15, 2021, that fundamentally altered Pak-Afghan relations?
Answer:
The fall of Kabul to the Taliban
The rapid takeover of Kabul by the Taliban in August 2021 following the US withdrawal initially raised hopes in Islamabad for improved security cooperation. However, the subsequent years have seen increased friction over cross-border terrorism and the activities of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
12
As of 2024-2025, the primary security concern for Pakistan regarding Afghanistan is the presence of which group?
Answer:
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)
Pakistan maintains that the TTP (often called the 'Fitna al-Khawarij' by the state) uses Afghan soil as a base to launch attacks inside Pakistan. This issue has become the 'red line' in bilateral relations, with Islamabad demanding that the Afghan interim government disarm these militants or hand them over.
13
In late 2023, the Government of Pakistan launched the 'Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan' primarily targeting:
Answer:
Undocumented Afghan nationals
Citing security concerns and the economic burden, Pakistan began a massive drive to deport over 1.7 million undocumented foreigners, the vast majority being Afghans. While the government emphasized it was not targeting a specific nationality, the move created significant diplomatic tension with Kabul and was criticized by international human rights organizations.
14
What is the name of the 'one-document regime' implemented by Pakistan at border crossings in 2024?
Answer:
Valid Passport and Visa requirement
For decades, tribes living along the border (particularly at Chaman and Torkham) crossed using local permits or ID cards. In 2024, Pakistan strictly implemented the 'one-document regime,' requiring a valid passport and visa for all Afghan nationals. This led to prolonged protests by local traders and residents accustomed to free movement.
15
Which major regional energy project aims to bring natural gas from Turkmenistan to Pakistan and India via Afghanistan?
Answer:
TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India)
TAPI is a multi-billion dollar project critical for regional energy security. Despite the change in government in Kabul, the Taliban have expressed support for the project. In 2024-2025, Pakistan and Turkmenistan have held multiple meetings to fast-track the implementation of the Afghan section of the pipeline.
16
The 'Trans-Afghan Railway' project, discussed in 2024-2025, seeks to connect Pakistan with which Central Asian country via Afghanistan?
Answer:
Uzbekistan
The Trans-Afghan Railway project aims to link Termez (Uzbekistan) with Peshawar (Pakistan) via Mazar-e-Sharif and Kabul. This project is a pillar of Pakistan’s 'Geo-economics' strategy, intended to provide Central Asian states with access to the Arabian Sea via Pakistani ports like Gwadar and Karachi.
17
In March 2024, Pakistan launched 'intelligence-based anti-terrorist operations' inside Afghan territory in response to:
Answer:
A major terrorist attack in Mir Ali, North Waziristan
Following a deadly attack on a security checkpost in Mir Ali that killed seven Pakistani soldiers, Pakistan conducted targeted airstrikes against TTP hideouts in Khost and Paktika provinces of Afghanistan on March 18, 2024. This marked a significant escalation and a clear message to the Kabul authorities regarding cross-border militancy.
18
Which cross-border point is the primary transit route for trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan?
Answer:
Torkham
Torkham, located in the Khyber Pass, is the busiest and most strategic border crossing between the two countries. It handles the majority of transit trade and passenger traffic, and its frequent closures due to security or visa disputes have massive economic implications for both nations.
19
The 'Chaman-Spin Boldak' border is located in which Pakistani province?
Answer:
Balochistan
The Chaman border crossing connects the Balochistan province of Pakistan with the Kandahar province of Afghanistan. It is the second most important crossing point and has been the site of significant 'dharnas' (sit-ins) in 2024 against the new passport and visa regulations.
20
How did Pakistan respond to the 2022 earthquake in eastern Afghanistan?
Answer:
Dispatched emergency relief, medical teams, and opened the border for injured victims
Despite political tensions, Pakistan has consistently provided humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. During the 2022 earthquake, Pakistan was among the first to send C-130 aircraft and truckloads of relief goods, demonstrating the 'people-to-people' bond that exists despite state-level friction.
