Fawzia Koofi calls civilian harm ‘unjustifiable’ amid rising border tensions

KABUL: Fauzia Koofi, a member of the former Afghan government’s parliament, in response to Pakistan’s recent strikes on Paktika and Nangarhar, stated that causing harm to innocent civilian citizens is unjustifiable in any respect. In a post on social media, Koofi emphasized that only a force with national legitimacy can protect Afghanistan’s territorial integrity and must respect the fundamental rights of all citizens without discrimination. She further noted that the Taliban have turned Afghanistan into a haven for proxy and extremist groups, asserting that “legitimacy, inclusiveness, and rule under the constitution are essential conditions for maintaining peace in Afghanistan and the region.” The Pakistani military conducted airstrikes on Saturday night, targeting areas in Nangarhar and Paktika. According to local Taliban officials, the strike in the Behsud district of Nangarhar resulted in the deaths of 17 civilians, including women and children, with five others injured.