Security Dilemmas and Forced Displacement: Evolving Pakistan-Afghanistan Border Dynamics (2022-2025)

Abstract

The significance of this study lies in exploring the relationship between security games and forced displacement as a result of changing border dynamics between Pakistan and Afghanistan between 2022 and 2025. Since the Taliban reclaimed power in Afghanistan in 2021, the situation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border has grown more volatile due to several factors such as the increased cross-border security concerns, a new wave of militants, and changes in the policies of the two countries. The paper draws on the theoretical framework of the security dilemma to conclude that state-centric security measures, including the construction of borders, military interventions and refugee repatriation policies, have had unintended consequences of worsening human insecurity, thereby fostering increased forced displacement patterns. The study adopts a qualitative research approach to trace the link between security practices and displacement trends through secondary data sources such as policy reports, publications of international organisations and analyses of the media. The result indicated that Pakistan's securitization of its border and Afghanistan's internal political instability has led to a vicious circle in which both sides view their defensive measures as threats, thereby exacerbating the cross-border situation and the flow of displacement. The paper builds on the body of literature by connecting traditional security issues with human security issues and highlighting the importance of cooperation at the borders, conflict-sensitive policies, and a dialogue at the regional level for reducing displacement and promoting stability.

Keywords: Security Dilemma, Forced Displacement, Pakistan-Afghanistan Border, Border Securitization, Human Security, Cross-Border Conflict, Refugee Crisis, Taliban Regime, TTP (Tehrik-I-Taliban Pakistan), Migration Governance, Border Management; Internal Displacement; Regional Stability.