Zalmay Khalilzad condemns Pakistan strikes, warns of regional consequences

The former US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad, has condemned Pakistan’s overnight airstrikes on Afghanistan, stating that despite international and domestic calls for resolving disputes through dialogue, Islamabad has once again carried out attacks that killed and injured dozens of civilians, according to his remarks. Khalilzad said Pakistan has so far failed to provide constructive responses to proposals reportedly agreed upon with the Islamic Emirate, raising questions over whether Islamabad is genuinely seeking resolution or pursuing other objectives in Afghanistan. He warned that if Pakistan’s aim is to destabilize Afghanistan and expand Chinese influence in the region, such a policy would run counter to US interests and could contribute to the expansion of terrorist groups, particularly ISIS-K, as well as broader geopolitical instability.