Despite the strong normative foundations of Islamic peace ethics, their influence on interstate conflict resolution remains limited in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations. Although both states have a strong Islamic identity, border tensions and security challenges have erupted once more, with violence occurring in both areas since 2021. This study focuses on the contrast between the ethical depth of concepts such as ṣulḥ (reconciliation), ʿadl (justice), and taḥkīm (arbitration) and their sparse institutional expression in interstate politics today. In terms of methodology, the study uses qualitative analysis of policy documents, official statements, and militant discourses generated from 2021 to 2025, alongside an examination of how Islamic pedagogical values are framed. The results show that Islamic ethical discourse continues to be politically relevant but mobilized selectively: state actors use it to legitimize sovereignty and security policies, while militant groups exploit ideological gaps in religious understanding to reinterpret Islamic concepts in favor of violence. Meanwhile, the institutionalization of reconciliation-oriented mechanisms remains hindered by modern interstate securitization and the lack of a structured Islamic peace education framework that bridges normative values with statecraft. The study contends that bridging this gap requires interpretive legitimacy, political willingness, and the revitalization of Islamic education—both formal and informal—to cultivate non-violent conflict resolution and counter militant hermeneutics. These findings contribute to discussions on religion, international relations, and Islamic educational discourse by presenting Islamic ethics as context-sensitive normative resources for peacebuilding.
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