Taliban Foreign Minister Discusses Pakistan Airstrikes with UN Political Deputy
The Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi held a telephone conversation with Rosemary DiCarlo, the UN Secretary-General’s Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, regarding recent airstrikes conducted by Pakistan. According to the ministry, the call emphasized civilian casualties resulting from these attacks and expressed serious concern on the matter.
Based on information provided by the Taliban administration, the foreign minister claimed that over the past four years, only civilians have been targeted in Pakistan’s airstrikes, and no armed groups alleged by Islamabad to be present in Afghanistan have been killed. He described this as evidence of the “baselessness” of Pakistan’s accusations.
Muttaqi also asserted that no armed groups operate within Afghanistan and added that diplomats based in Kabul and other relevant parties can visit the sites of recent attacks to closely examine the situation. However, observers have consistently stressed the necessity of unfettered access and impartial international investigations to clarify the facts.
On the other hand, the UN political deputy expressed regret over the civilian deaths and stated that she would raise the issue of air strikes with UN member states and other stakeholders. The two sides also exchanged views on Doha meetings, working groups, and other related matters, emphasizing the continuation of their interactions.
