Afghanistan’s envoy at the UN, Naseer Ahmad Faiq, has lodged an official complaint about Pakistan’s airstrikes in Afghanistan at the UN Security Council.
Following strong domestic and international reactions including protests over Pakistani airstrikes on some parts of Kunar and Khost provinces, Naseer Ahmad Faiq, chargé d’affaires of the Afghanistan permanent mission to the UN, in a tweet said he has lodged an official complaint about Pakistan airstrikes with the UN Security Council.
Faiq called for the issue to be addressed in accordance with the principles of the UN charter.
“Afghanistan’s Permanent Mission in the United Nations complained to the United Nation Security Council about the clear violation by Pakistani airstrikes on residential houses in Kunar and Khost provinces, which resulted in the killing and wounding of civilians, and called for immediate cessation in accordance with the UN charter,” Faiq tweeted.
Meanwhile, Manzoor Pashteen, leader of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), called for an investigation into the Pakistani airstrikes on parts of Khost and Kunar.
“We ask this government that claims it is autonomous, if this is true. Mr. Shabaz Sharif (new PM of Pakistan), this gathering will give you the opportunity to respond (over Pakistan airstrikes on Afghan territory) in 24 hours–by the end of this gathering,” said Manzoor Pashteen.
This is the first time in the last two decades that Afghanistan’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations has lodged a formal complaint with the United Nations Security Council against Pakistan’s violation of Afghanistan’s airspace.
“I think Afghanistan and its representative are not in a good position for such an action to get a result, and such actions have been taken in the past as well but their outcomes are still unknown,” said Javid Sangdel, an international relations expert.
“Based on diplomatic principles, after Pakistan’s attacks on Khost and Kunar, where the ambassador was summoned by the Foreign Ministry, there is a principled way to complain to the United Nations,” said Aziz Marej, a former diplomat.
But Kabul said that what Naseer Ahmad Faiq has complained about to the UN Security Council originates from his personally and has nothing to do with the Islamic Emirate.
“The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has shown its reaction through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and also by the spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, and what Mr. Faiq said is his personal view and he does not represent the Afghan government,” said Inamullah Samangani, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate.
Earlier, the Foreign Ministry summoned Pakistan’s ambassador to Kabul, Mansour Ahmad Khan in response to the recent Pakistani attacks on some parts of Khost and Kunar.—Tolonews
