DiCarlo to raise Pakistan airstrikes on Afghanistan with UN member states

KABUL (Pajhwok): United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo has expressed sorrow over civilian casualties caused by Pakistani military airstrikes in Afghanistan and said the matter would be raised with UN member states and other stakeholders.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi held a telephone conversation with DiCarlo.

Muttaqi voiced deep concern over the recent attacks, noting that repeated strikes by Pakistan over the past four years have targeted only civilians.

He said no armed individuals, as claimed by Pakistan, were killed, demonstrating that Islamabad’s allegations were baseless.

Muttaqi added that no armed groups operate in Afghanistan and all parties, including diplomatic representatives in Kabul, could inspect the site of the latest strike to assess the situation firsthand.

For her part, DiCarlo extended her condolences for the civilian casualties and reaffirmed that Pakistan’s airstrikes would be raised with UN member states and other relevant parties.

The statement noted the two officials also discussed the Doha process, working groups and other related matters, expressing hope that joint efforts would continue to support progress.

Pakistan’s military carried out airstrikes on a religious seminary in southeastern Paktika province and on residential areas in Behsud district of eastern Nangarhar province on Saturday night.

Reports indicate 13 members of a single family, including women and children, were martyred, nine others wounded and five remain missing.

hz/kk