Book
Revisiting the Durand Line: Historical and Legal Perspectives
Author: Dr. Lutfur Rehman
The Durand Line, demarcated in 1893 between British India and Amir Abdur Rahman Khan of Afghanistan, remains the legally recognized and internationally acknowledged boundary separating Pakistan and Afghanistan. Contrary to recurring claims by certain Afghan authorities, the agreement was concluded with full participation of the Afghan leadership and ratified by both sides, with no expiration clause. Historical records, including original maps exchanged in Kabul, confirm the border’s legitimacy and the mutual understanding of its permanence.
Afghanistan’s persistent rejection of the Durand Line is not supported by historical evidence or international law. While political narratives have attempted to frame the border as temporary, careful archival research demonstrates that the treaty was a bilateral, binding agreement. Attempts to challenge Pakistan’s sovereignty along this boundary undermine regional stability and ignore Pakistan’s right to defend its territorial integrity.
Pakistan’s claim over the Durand Line is further strengthened by decades of international recognition, diplomatic correspondence, and consistent acknowledgment by global powers. Upholding the Durand Line is not merely a matter of historical record—it is an assertion of Pakistan’s sovereign rights and commitment to regional peace.