Khalilzad Calls Pakistan’s Attacks a Threat to Afghanistan’s Stability
Zalmay Khalilzad, former US envoy for Afghan peace, condemned recent Pakistani attacks in eastern Afghanistan, warning that their continuation could further undermine Afghanistan’s stability. He cautioned that ongoing insecurity creates a fertile ground for the expansion of extremist groups, including ISIS-Khorasan.
According to Khalilzad, despite repeated calls from the international community and many Pakistani citizens to resolve disputes through dialogue, Islamabad has launched another attack resulting in numerous civilian casualties. He emphasized that he has always condemned the killing of Afghan civilians.
The former American diplomat also claimed that Pakistan has not responded to proposals and plans put forward by the Taliban administration to reduce tensions. He questioned whether Islamabad’s officials genuinely seek a political solution or if the country’s security and military circles pursue different objectives.
Khalilzad’s remarks come after the Taliban administration reported that 36 civilians were killed and 163 others wounded in recent Pakistani airstrikes. Pakistani officials, meanwhile, described these operations as part of anti-terrorism efforts targeting armed groups based across the border.
Earlier, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) had confirmed in reports that civilians were harmed in past Pakistani attacks. At the same time, the Taliban’s inability to ensure nationwide security and manage border tensions has heightened concerns over the protection of residents living in border areas.
