Khalilzad says gap growing between Pakistani public, establishment

KABUL (Pajhwok): Former US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad says he does not believe the Pakistani public supports the establishment’s policies that have led to Afghan civilian casualties, arguing the divide between the people and the ruling authorities is widening.

In a post on his X, Khalilzad wrote: “I do not believe the Pakistani people support the establishment’s policies resulting in the martyrdom of Afghan civilians as documented in the UN report.”

Referring to reported civilian casualties from Pakistani military operations inside Afghanistan, he added: “Is the gap between the people and the establishment widening? I believe it is.”

Meanwhile, Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), told a press conference in Kabul on Tuesday that at least 110 Afghan civilians, including 65 women and children, had been killed, 123 others wounded, and 8,400 families displaced in Pakistani military attacks on Afghan territory.

kk/sa