Protest Held in the United States Against Pakistan’s Attacks on Afghanistan

A group of Afghans gathered in Washington, D.C., in the United States to protest Pakistan’s recent attacks on Afghanistan. The demonstrators called for an end to Pakistan’s airstrikes on Afghan territory. Protesters described the civilian casualties, including children, caused by the Pakistani attacks as a violation of international law and urged the international community to pressure Pakistan to stop targeting civilians. One protest participant, Lima, said: “The ظلم that Pakistan has started—killing children and women under the pretext of fighting terrorists—is unacceptable. We came here to ask why the world remains silent while Pakistan is killing children and civilians instead of terrorists.” Another participant, Bilal Mangal, stated: “The attacks carried out by Pakistan are crimes under international law. The strikes Pakistan conducts in the name of fighting terrorists are actually targeting Afghans, while the terrorists themselves are in Pakistan.” In recent days, Afghans have also staged protests in several countries around the world against Pakistan’s airstrikes. Reports indicate that dozens of civilians have been killed or injured in the attacks. Pakistan, however, claims that it targeted members of the Pakistani Taliban and their supporters, while critics say civilians were struck instead. Pakistan has long accused militant groups, including the Pakistani Taliban, of launching attacks from Afghan territory. The Taliban government in Afghanistan denies these allegations. Officials of the Taliban administration say they do not allow anyone to use Afghan territory to carry out attacks against other countries.