As the United States begins the process of what looks to be its final withdrawal from Afghanistan, Pakistan is drawn more and more into the spotlight.

While necessary, the US’ withdrawal has naturally generated new debates and apprehension from all sides; from Pakistan, a major worry being an increase in terrorist attacks from across the Khyber border.

Even before withdrawal, Pakistan has been facing such attacks—a Pakistan soldier was martyred in an exchange of fire with Afghanistan-based terrorists in North Waziristan tribal district on Saturday night. Six people were killed and 14 others were injured in a blast in Chaman last week. A month earlier, a bomb exploded in the parking lot of the Serena Hotel in Quetta, killing at least five people and wounding 12 others.

Pakistan also has cause to draw hesitation because of the undue hostility from the Afghan government. Pakistan has raised serious concerns over irresponsible statements from the Afghan leadership, including Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s thinly-veiled accusations against Pakistan of not being interested in bringing all parties to the negotiation table.

Such harmful and defamatory accusations, along with the increase in terrorist attacks, with the same familiar patterns, have necessitated the statements from both policymakers and military leaders alike. Afghanistan must act on groups inside its territory launching attacks against us.

If the peace process is meant to mean anything, this pattern of hostilities cannot continue. Neither Pakistan nor Afghanistan can afford it. The defence forces of Afghanistan need to more actively take part in stopping illegal activities and anti-Pakistan sentiments and this can only happen if the Afghan government is more interested in this, rather than in releasing baseless accusations.