Imposed by the British in 1893, the border placed half of Afghanistan’s dominant ethnic group, the Pashtun, under British rule in what is now Pakistan.

Christine Fellenz, Matthew W. Chwastyk, NGM Staff. Lawson Parker.

The Pashtun are the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan, but twice as many of them live in Pakistan as a result of the Durand Line border, drawn by the British in 1893. The Taliban, who are largely Pashtun, regrouped in Pakistan after the U.S. invasion and were aided by some Pakistani security forces.

Imposed by the British in 1893, the border placed half of Afghanistan’s dominant ethnic group, the Pashtun, under British rule in what is now Pakistan.

Christine Fellenz, Matthew W. Chwastyk, NGM Staff. Lawson Parker.