Several Pakistani political leaders and lawmakers called for an immediate end to the ongoing clashes between Taliban and Pakistan, expressing concern about civilian casualties from Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan’s territory.
In a joint statement on Monday, leaders from the National Democratic Movement and other Pashtun political groups said aerial bombardment by the Pakistan Air Force in populated areas of Afghanistan has caused growing civilian casualties, including women and children.
The statement urged both sides to bring the conflict to an immediate end and pursue dialogue.
The signatories described the escalation as an “undeclared war” that they said disproportionately affects Pashtuns living on both sides of the Durand Line.
They claimed that most victims of the fighting belong to the Pashtun ethnic group.
UN has said that at least 73 civilians were killed and 193 others have been wounded in the first two weeks of clashes that started on Feb. 26.
The statement also criticized Pakistan’s policy toward Afghanistan, warning that continued military operations could further endanger civilian lives. It also expressed concern that Pakistan’s parliament had been bypassed in decisions related to the conflict.
The joint statement was signed by Mehmood Khan Achakzai, chairman of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party and a member of Pakistan’s National Assembly; Mohsin Dawar, chairman of the National Democratic Movement; and Khushhal Khan Kakar, chairman of the Pakhtunkhwa National Awami Party and a member of parliament.
The signatories also called for what they described as peaceful and good neighborly relations “between Pakistan and Afghanistan” and urged an end to policies they say have contributed to decades of violence in the region.
The statement further expressed concern about broader regional tensions, including the war in the Middle East, warning that continued conflict could threaten regional and global stability.
Pakistan’s military has conducted airstrikes and artillery attacks in parts of Afghanistan in recent weeks amid escalating clashes with the Taliban. Pakistani officials say the operations target militant groups they accuse of operating from Afghanistan’s territory, an allegation the Taliban deny.
