Well, we could have always been brother countries. Sadly, as LoveIcon mentions, it was Afghanistan which decided to pursue an aggressive stance.
I wholly agree. I will tell you what is the heart of the issue.
Let me start with the fact that when Pakistan was formed Iran was the first country to accept it... while Afghanistan refused to do so. Till today.
Why? That is the big question. At that time Pakistan hadn't shown sympathy to the Haqqanis, Nazir or Hekmatyar's nor was Waziristan their asylum. They didn't even exist and those areas were much more liberal. The art of building guns came during the 1980's. Then why?
Because Afghanistan does not accept the Durand line.
The Afghans are living in history. Lets remember that the Durrani empire unified KP and Balochistan in one nation even though Ahmed Shah Abdali was a Pashtun born in multan and because 70% of all Pashtuns are in Pakistan or lar pashtuns belonged to the south. Lets note that there are more Pashtuns in Pakistan than Afghanistan. 30-50 million here while 12 million in Afghanistan so the larger part of Pashtun dynasties history, like the Suris, Lodis, Durranis, Ghaznavids and Ghorids mostly belongs to them more than Afghan nationals.
Personally from what I believe 1983 was the partition of Afghanistan and no one agreed to it but Abdur Rehman Khan an Afghan King. From that point on the Pashtuns left there and Pashtuns in British india or Pakistan as we call it were both directed to completely different spheres of influence. Pashtuns of British India worked with their Punjabi Sindhi Baloch brothers to form a Pakistan. But in the meantime the bar Pashtuns became frustrated and angry. This translated into hatred not only for the entire idea of Pakistan but the pashtuns of Pakistan as well. When Pashtuns of Pakhtunkhwa went there (to Afghanistan) for support to fight against the British they were mistreated by the northern pashtuns of Afghanistan.
Afghanistan never accepted the durand line and still doesn't. You will notice that Najibullah and even Zahir Shah were very hostile to Pakistan. There were skirmishes in Bajaur so Afghanistan at least once tried to push the issue through military means.
So the issue itself is far more than the sanctuary the "good Taliban" have found in Pakistan. It is Afghanistan's non recognition of the border between the two countries. Our mistake in FATA has been our failure to integrate the tribes into the social fabric. Lets note that the area is off limit to tourists and collective responsibilities act applies there which blames entire tribes for the actions of miscreants. The result is FATA will remain a backward region of Pakistan with little progress and hostile foreign agencies will use this region. Also I don't see the logic of disarming the (shia) Turis and Bangash (as
@Irfan Baloch pointed out) while leaving the Maseeds who make up 60%+ of the TTP. Not to blame a tribe but it is a weakness and accepting some negative points can sometimes help. I know there are many ghayur Maseeds out there too, one whom I met on twitter. But anyway... so thats the problem.
On the other hand there is a hostile Afghanistan that does not accept the Durand line, the de facto border between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Pashtuns will be better versed in history and may make us understand what is best for the region. Thats partly why I support IK. His mother is burki from Kaniguram.
@farhan_9909 and others may help
