Hamid Karzai has condemned Pakistan’s recent airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan, calling them a violation of the country’s sovereignty and international law.
In a statement issued on Monday, Karzai said the strikes on residential areas in the provinces of Paktia, Paktika and Kunar were unacceptable. He expressed condolences to the families of those killed and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
His comments came after Hamdullah Fitrat said Pakistani airstrikes had killed 36 civilians, including women and children, and wounded 163 others. According to Fitrat, one of the attacks struck villagers gathered to rescue victims after an earlier strike on a residential house.
Karzai urged Pakistan to abandon what he described as provocative policies and a dual approach toward extremism, calling on Islamabad to build relations with Afghanistan based on peaceful coexistence and good neighbourly ties.
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban administration have remained strained over border security and militant activity. Islamabad has repeatedly accused Kabul of allowing members of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other armed groups to operate from Afghanistan territory, allegations the Taliban deny.
Cross-border exchanges have intensified in recent months as Pakistan has increased military operations against suspected militants following a series of deadly attacks, including the recent assault on a Pakistan Rangers compound in Karachi that killed three security personnel. The escalating violence has further heightened tensions between the two neighbouring countries.
