Pakistan’s escalation against Taliban-led Afghanistan—through cross-border strikes and “open war” signalling—appears set to further consolidate Army chief Asim Munir’s influence at home, with civilian leaders increasingly sidelined as security tensions rise, according to recent analysis. Islamabad blames the Taliban for providing sanctuary to the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), while Kabul denies allowing its territory to be used for attacks on Pakistan, even as clashes have intensified along the Durand Line. Despite Pakistan’s overwhelming conventional advantage in troops and airpower, the Taliban’s asymmetric warfare experience and the risk of protracted border conflict could keep the crisis simmering, with significant implications for regional stability and Pakistan’s internal power balance.