Kabul, Afghanistan (Photo courtesy of Mohammad Husaini via Unsplash)

The roots of the conflict between the two nations stretch back decades. Pakistan accuses its neighbor of harboring the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a terrorist group that wreaks havoc in Pakistan. But Afghanistan’s Taliban government denies this. 

Yet Pakistan’s concern about terrorism is solidly grounded. In 2025, Pakistan had the highest number of deaths in the world due to terrorism (1,139). See the 2026 briefing from the Institute for Economics & Peace here.

“This is a very complex situation and conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan, because both sides have very serious concerns,” says Nehemiah with FMI. “Both parties are blaming each other for certain terrorism activities and being more liberal towards the Quran and Islam.” 

Ordinary people have paid the price for the dispute, especially in Afghanistan. The United Nations reports that since February 26, 2026 when Pakistan led airstrikes on TTP camps, the conflict has killed at least 289 civilians in Afghanistan. Last week, a Pakistani strike on a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul, Afghanistan, likely killed and injured hundreds of people. Investigations into that attack are still underway as of this writing. 

“The facility served some of the most vulnerable individuals in society,” says Nehemiah. “Its destruction highlights the severe humanitarian cost of this conflict.” 

Ministry continues under pressure

For gospel workers in both Afghanistan and Pakistan, Nehemiah says security risks have increased, but so too has the spiritual openness of those they serve.

Pakistan (Photo courtesy of FMI)

“Many are more willing than ever to listen, ask questions, and seek truth beyond what they have known,” Nehemiah says. “This is such a defining moment for the ministry, especially in Afghanistan, because recently we have done a distribution of Pashto and Dari audio Bibles in Afghanistan.”

He says FMI hears incredible stories of people coming to faith. 

“These people [have been] in a war situation for over four decades,” he says. “They want to have a peace and hope in their life. This is the best time to tell them that Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and they can find hope only in one person, and His name is Isa al-Masih, Jesus Christ.”

Still, Nehemiah says FMI’s partners are “sitting on gunpowder.”

“I am grateful for our partners who work in such hostile conditions,” he says. “Their faithfulness, their willingness, their stewardship… It’s remarkable.”

Prayer changes the story

Pray for de-escalation and peace between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

“Pray for wisdom and courage for ministry workers as they navigate complex situations,” says Nehemiah. “Pray for healing and comfort for families affected by violence on both sides. Pray that many would encounter the hope, love, and peace of Christ in the midst of this suffering.”

He adds that there has been a recent encouraging answer to prayer. 

“We were praying to have something ongoing, or a very serious effort to have a church planting training or sessions in Afghanistan.”

Nehemiah explains that many believers there have never been to a Bible college (or other highly organized group) where they can learn about God’s Word and strategies for spreading the gospel.

“By the grace of God, we are able to start church-planting training and a group of people in Afghanistan. We have been praying for the situation for many, many years, especially in this war-torn society, especially [during the] last three weeks or month [of war],” he says. 

Header photo is a stock image from Afghanistan, courtesy of Rahmat Alizada via Unsplash.