UN Urges Civilian Protection After Pakistani Shelling

The United Nations has called for the protection of civilians following damage to public facilities caused by Pakistani shelling in the country.

Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, said in a press briefing that recent cross-border shelling by Pakistan in parts of Kunar province damaged a school, a clinic, and a telecommunications tower in Dangam district.

He stressed that under international law, civilians and civilian infrastructure, including schools and health centers, must not be targeted.

The spokesperson added that, following discussions with the parties involved, aid operations have resumed in parts of Nuristan province that had been deprived of assistance due to insecurity and limited access.

According to him, after six weeks, the delivery of food supplies and medical equipment has begun for 136,000 people in the districts of Kamdesh and Barg-e-Matal.

Meanwhile, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, leader of Pakistan’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, told reporters that Islamabad is moving quickly in its engagement with Afghanistan, while Afghanistan, in his view, needs more time.

He added that this difference in approach has complicated issues between the two sides.

Political analysts believe that these tensions can only be resolved through continued dialogue and diplomacy between the two countries.

Fazlur Rehman said: “Pakistan is in a hurry, while Afghanistan needs more time; we are caught between the two, and the situation is worsening.”

Aminullah Amin, a university professor, said: “The only way countries can overcome these tensions is through continued dialogue, especially now that China has become involved in the talks and does not see continued conflict as being in its interest.”

This comes as hundreds of civilians have been killed and injured as a result of Pakistani attacks. In the deadliest attack on March 16, more than 400 patients at the Omid health center were killed.