Boundary Dispute Project - Durand Line by Emma Mor

What is the Durand Line?

20249109 — 2024-01-18 17:27:26 UTC

The Durand Line is a 2640-kilometer line between Afghanistan and Pakistan that has acted as the border for over 100 years. Recently, however, it has been causing conflicts for the civilians who reside near the border. The Afghan government refuses to recognize the line even though it has been acting as a border since before Pakistan was an official country.

Works Cited

20249109 — 2024-01-18 17:27:41 UTC

https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/durand-line/

Origins

20249109 — 2024-01-18 17:27:55 UTC

The border was formed when the British ruled the land of Pakistan, which at the time belonged to India. The agreement on the border's location and purpose was signed on November 12, 1893. When Britain left that territory in 1947, Afghanistan requested the location of the border to be revisited, but their request was denied. However, the border divides the Pashtun tribe into two separate states.

Effects

20249109 — 2024-01-18 17:27:59 UTC

Since the Durand Line was put in place by the British and previous Afghan governments, there have been conflicts between the two prominent ethnic groups. The Taliban is the current government of Afghanistan and has a history of violence, especially against American troops in the area. Foreign troops are often sent to the area to resolve conflicts such as suicide bombs, air strikes, or street fighting.

Present Day Conflict

20249109 — 2024-01-19 17:52:37 UTC

The two ethnic groups that reside near the Durand Line are the Pashtuns and the Punjabis, two groups of Sunni Muslims. Most of Pakistan is made up of Punjabis while most of Afghanistan is made up of Pashtuns. The Pashtuns that live in Pakistan are upset to be under Punjabi rule rather than the rule of their own people. The Afghan government has supported the idea of Pashtun Pakistanis rebelling against the government and forming a new state.

Physical Geography and Location

20249109 — 2024-01-19 18:16:28 UTC

The Durand Line was created by following physical features such as rivers, rather than considering the cultural borders. This would qualify the border as a physical and superimposed border since it was put in place by the British government. If the Pashtun people can acquire this land for their own, it would stretch Afghanistan to the Indus River.