The concept of enabling border crossings without the need for passports may appeal to supporters of free mobility and regional trade. However, such a program poses a tremendous risk to Pakistan's economic, national security, and social fabric.
The border between Pakistan and Afghanistan has long been a source of tension, with terrorism, smuggling, and illicit activities taking place. Loosening border controls will worsen these issues, jeopardising Pakistan's sovereignty and security. Here's a closer look at the statistics and the serious implications of such a risky plan.
Smuggling and the Economic Fallout
Opening crossings without passports increases smuggling, which is already a serious problem on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and allows smugglers to extend their operations. According to estimates, smuggled products, such as firearms, drugs, and other contraband, cost Pakistan's economy around $1 billion each year in lost tax revenues, customs charges, and corruption. The growing black market, supported by these unlawful cross-border movements, undercuts legitimate enterprises that compete with cheaper, untaxed items. Legal firms in Pakistan estimate yearly losses of more than $2 billion due to smuggling, stifling economic progress and reducing government income.
The open border would also feed the current drug traffic. Between September 2023 and June 2024, Pakistani officials captured 1,041 metric tonnes of drugs, demonstrating the frightening magnitude of trafficking. Experts believe that 2 to 3 tonnes of narcotics are recovered each day, yet seizures barely scratch the surface, demonstrating how profitable and established the smuggling networks are. A powerful mafia benefits from this illicit commerce and, predictably, opposes tougher border restrictions.
A Breeding Ground for Violence and Terrorism
Allowing unfettered cross-border mobility without a passport would also ease the trafficking of approximately 10,000 people each year, subjecting them to exploitation and cruelty. Smugglers and human traffickers, who frequently collaborate with extremist groups, prey on vulnerable communities. Once ensnared in these networks, many victims are subjected to forced employment, assault, and sexual exploitation.
Furthermore, the influx of illicit weaponry from Afghanistan—currently estimated at over 50,000 firearms per year—contributes to rising violence in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and Balochistan. The spread of illicit weapons not only supports local criminals but also boosts extremist organisations. The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a terrorist organisation with 1,500 to 3,000 militants near the border, has increased its operations in these areas, exacerbating the security situation. Terror-related events have already increased by 30% in 2024, resulting in high losses among both security forces and civilians.
Mafias and Terrorists: A Symbiotic Relationship
The link between mafias, smugglers, and terrorist organisations feeds a terrible cycle of crime and violence. Extremist organisations rely on smuggling routes to fund their activities and procure weapons, but local mafias thrive in border districts due to instability and inadequate law enforcement. In 2024, over 200 violent events were recorded in KPK and Balochistan alone, with 60% of these assaults being attributed to organisations operating from Afghan territory.
Terrorist networks and organised crime syndicates gain greatly from the permeable borders. If passport-free crossings are permitted, this mutually reinforcing dynamic will continue unchecked. The people of KPK and Balochistan, who are already experiencing violence, would suffer the most if security deteriorates. The mix of poor government, organised crime, and extremist violence fuels instability, trapping local populations in a cycle of dread and underdevelopment.
Why Some Support an Open Border
Despite substantial evidence of the hazards connected with a passport-free border, certain mafia factions advocate for keeping it open. They gain from illegal trade networks that operate freely across borders. These entrenched interests put profits and political power ahead of national security and ordinary individuals' well-being. The drug trade generates billions of cash, which contributes to opposition to stronger border rules. Smugglers and their influential supporters, including parts of terrorist networks, are opposed to any action that may jeopardise their profitable activities. These players flourish in conditions of tax regulation, corruption, and instability, and they are concerned that rigorous border restrictions may jeopardise their activities.
A Policy of Open Borders: A Security Nightmare in the Making
The requests to open the Pakistan-Afghanistan border without passports are not just wrong; they are dangerous. The porous aspect of the border is already a major security concern, allowing terrorists to readily transit between the two nations. Extremist organisations utilise Afghan land to plot and carry out attacks in Pakistan, taking advantage of inadequate border security to escape law enforcement. A 30% increase in violence by 2024 is a sobering reminder of the growing menace. Allowing unlimited crossings will eliminate the remaining barriers, resulting in a security nightmare for Pakistan.
The idea also disregards the sacrifices made by Pakistani security forces. Military efforts to safeguard border areas and battle terrorism have resulted in high losses, especially in KPK and Balochistan. Loosening border laws will undercut these efforts, encourage extremist organisations, and expose communities to greater violence.
Conclusion
Given the data, it is evident that opening the Pakistan-Afghanistan border without passports will have disastrous consequences for Pakistan. Smuggling, drug trafficking, the illegal arms trade, and terrorism would thrive, with disastrous ramifications for the economy, public safety, and national security. Local companies would suffer even larger losses, while countless more people would fall victim to traffickers and organised crime.
The interests of mafias and extreme organisations should not drive national policy. Pakistan requires tougher border restrictions, not weaker ones, to combat smuggling, decrease bloodshed, and safeguard its citizens. The border with Afghanistan is a lifeline for criminal networks, and relaxing laws would only fuel the cycle of crime, corruption, and violence. National security and the well-being of Pakistan's population must come first, even if it means facing powerful vested interests who profit from the existing quo.