To the United Nations, the European Union, International Human Rights Organizations, and the International Community
Dear Sir or Madam,
Through this letter, we wish once again to draw the attention of the international community to the serious human rights violations, war crimes, and repeated military interventions carried out by Pakistan over several decades on both sides of the Durand Line, particularly on the territory inhabited by the Afghan people. Furthermore, we wish to highlight the severe humanitarian consequences of these actions for the Afghan population.
The Afghan people on both sides of the Durand Line have suffered for many years under the tyranny and oppression of the Pakistani military, war-criminal generals, and criminal dictators. People in Balochistan and Pashtunkhwa who demand their rights or criticize the Pakistani military or government for the oppression of innocent civilians are subjected to persecution, arrest, torture, or even death. Journalists, activists, politicians, members of parliament, teachers, doctors, and other educated individuals have been affected. Many innocent people have disappeared without a trace or have been silenced through violence and intimidation.
For several years, the Pakistani military has repeatedly carried out attacks on Afghan territory. These attacks have involved fighter jets, drones, missiles, mortar shells, and artillery. In numerous provinces of Afghanistan, homes, shops, hospitals, schools, universities, and other civilian facilities have been destroyed or damaged. As a result of these military attacks, many innocent civilians—including women, children, infants, and elderly people—have lost their lives, while many others have been injured. Reports indicate that some victims were struck while sleeping in their homes at night. In other cases, women engaged in everyday activities such as cooking or washing, as well as children playing outdoors, were killed. Many of these attacks occurred during the night, leaving local populations in fear and insecurity. Numerous families, including women and children, were forced to flee their homes and spend the night outdoors under difficult conditions. Some had to remain outside until morning in the rain and without adequate shelter.
A particularly grave example of Pakistani military attacks occurred on 16 March 2026. On that day, the “Omid” Drug Treatment Center in Kabul was reportedly targeted in a Pakistani airstrike. According to a report by UNAMA, at least 269 people were killed and 122 others injured. Afghan authorities reported more than 400 fatalities, while media reports estimated over 465 deaths and approximately 265 injuries. Among the victims were numerous civilians, including women, children, elderly persons, patients, and medical personnel. The attack on a medical facility and the high number of civilian casualties indicate what may constitute a serious war crime. An attack deliberately directed against a civilian institution would clearly meet the legal definition of a war crime. The incident therefore represents an extremely serious case that requires a comprehensive investigation. From this perspective, it is difficult to imagine clearer evidence warranting scrutiny regarding potential war crimes.
On 22 May 2026, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, once again called for a comprehensive, transparent, and independent investigation into the attack. He emphasized that intentional attacks against civilians and civilian facilities may constitute war crimes under international law. Furthermore, he stated that all allegations concerning attacks on civilian infrastructure must be independently investigated in order to establish the truth and determine any potential responsibility.
In this context, particular attention should be given to the public statements made by Pakistan’s Minister of Defence, Khawaja Asif.
In April 2025, he stated in an interview with Sky News that Pakistan had carried out “dirty work” for certain countries in the past. This statement received widespread international attention and was widely interpreted as a remarkable admission regarding Pakistan’s role in regional conflicts.
Furthermore, on 19 May 2026, media outlets reported additional remarks by the Pakistani Defence Minister expressing regret over Pakistan’s decades-long involvement in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.
He stated:
“In my opinion, our engagement was a mistake. We should not have interfered in Afghanistan’s internal affairs because it was not our business.”
These statements by Mr. Khawaja Asif constitute a noteworthy acknowledgment of Pakistan’s interventions in Afghanistan. They confirm that Pakistan has been involved in Afghanistan’s internal affairs for decades. Moreover, the remarks of Pakistan’s Defence Minister are of considerable political significance. They underscore that Pakistan’s policy of interference has had serious consequences for Afghanistan and the wider region.
On 1 June 2026, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, stated during her visit to Pakistan:
“The best way to resolve the conflict with Afghanistan is through dialogue, not airstrikes.”
We believe that those responsible for Pakistan’s military actions bear responsibility for the deaths of innocent civilians, including women and children. From this perspective, negotiations with such actors are viewed as unlikely to produce meaningful results. They are perceived as having repeatedly abused the trust of other nations through deception, misinformation, and unfulfilled commitments. In this regard, we also refer to historical examples: following the Second World War, the Allied powers did not engage in political negotiations with war-criminal generals of the Nazi regime but instead held them accountable through the Nuremberg Trials and criminal prosecutions.
Against this background, we believe that negotiations with individuals responsible for war crimes are not an effective solution. Instead, in accordance with the principles of the rule of law, there should be legal accountability and judicial proceedings before independent courts.
We also wish to point out that Pakistan has made demands upon Afghanistan that we regard as unlawful and unacceptable, including the following:
- Pakistan demands recognition of the Durand Line as the official border. However, we can never accept the division of our people and territory caused by this line. Therefore, we firmly reject this demand.
- Pakistan demands that Afghanistan terminate its relations with India. India has been a reliable partner and friend of Afghanistan for centuries and has repeatedly provided humanitarian assistance without demanding anything in return. We therefore reject this demand as well.
- Pakistan seeks to place Afghanistan’s foreign policy under Pakistani influence. This contradicts our sovereignty and is therefore expressly rejected.
- Pakistan demands the transfer of the Wakhan Corridor. We state unequivocally that we will not surrender any part of our territory—not even a single centimeter.
- According to Pakistan’s position, Afghanistan should maintain only a very limited army of no more than 60,000 soldiers. We categorically reject this demand.
- Pakistan seeks to prevent Afghanistan from constructing a dam on the Kunar River. The Kunar is our river. We will not accept restrictions on our right to build infrastructure within our own country on our own river. This demand is entirely unacceptable and is firmly rejected.
- Pakistan seeks to claim the authority to decide how Afghanistan’s natural resources are managed and with whom contracts may be concluded. This is an unacceptable demand that we reject under all circumstances.
In addition, there are other demands made by Pakistan that we consider unreasonable and unacceptable, and which we reject in their entirety.
As long as political power in Pakistan remains concentrated in the hands of the military, peace and stability will remain elusive in both Afghanistan and Pakistan, and conflicts are likely to continue. Dialogue with those responsible for these actions will not be meaningful. Improved relations and constructive engagement will only become possible when political authority is transferred from military generals to democratic institutions, parliamentary governance is strengthened, and Pakistan develops a liberal and democratic political system.
We further emphasize that instability and unrest in the Central Asian region will continue as long as the two sides of the Afghan territory divided by the Durand Line remain separated.
For decades, the Afghan people have suffered from war and its consequences, terrorism, poverty, hunger, political instability, and violence. Millions have been forced to leave their homes, and hundreds of thousands have lost family members. Women and children, in particular, have borne the heaviest burden of armed conflict.
We wish to emphasize that the Afghan people do not seek to claim the rights or territories of other nations.
We seek only respect for our own rights, including:
- The right to peace;
- The right to security;
- The right to self-determination;
- The right to territorial integrity;
- The right to economic development;
- The right to live in dignity;
- The right to the reunification of the territory and people divided by the Durand Line.
We appeal to:
- The United Nations;
- The international community;
- The European Union;
- The International Criminal Court;
- International human rights organizations;
- The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, Mr. Richard Bennett;
to carefully investigate all reports concerning Pakistan’s war crimes and violations of international humanitarian law.
In particular, we call for:
- An independent international investigation into all attacks on civilian facilities;
- Documentation of possible human rights violations;
- Identification of those potentially responsible;
- Justice for the victims;
- Humanitarian assistance for affected families;
- The promotion of a just and lasting peace in the region.
Peace can only be achieved on the basis of truth, justice, and accountability.
We therefore urgently call upon the international community to listen to the voices of the victims, thoroughly and impartially investigate all reports concerning Pakistan’s war crimes, and take all necessary measures to protect human rights, human dignity, and international law.
After decades of war, suffering, and uncertainty, the Afghan people deserve the opportunity to live in peace, security, and self-determination.
Yours sincerely,
P.S.
Afghanistan has suffered from the consequences of war, conflict, and ongoing instability for nearly 47 years. Millions of people are affected by poverty, hunger, malnutrition, disease, unemployment, and homelessness. In addition, climate change has intensified hardships through droughts, floods, earthquakes, and other natural disasters.
Many people lack the financial means to obtain medical treatment, essential medicines, or adequate food. Countless women have lost their husbands as a result of decades of conflict and, due to limited economic opportunities, are often unable to support themselves and their children. At the same time, many homes have been destroyed by floods, earthquakes, and other natural disasters, leaving families without shelter and livelihoods.
Decades of war, conflict, and deprivation have pushed a large portion of the Afghan population below the poverty line. Some people have died from hunger, while others, driven to despair by unemployment and their inability to provide for their families, have taken their own lives.
We therefore appeal to the international community and all countries around the world to provide generous humanitarian assistance and support to the people of Afghanistan who are in need.
Please share this letter with your friends and acquaintances in the interest of justice and for a good cause.