Kabul, March 18 (NationPress) - Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, made grave allegations on Tuesday against the Pakistani military, asserting that airstrikes in Kabul mirrored the "horrors inflicted by the Israeli regime upon Gaza." He claimed that these attacks resulted in the deaths of over 408 individuals undergoing drug rehabilitation and left more than 265 injured.

While addressing a gathering of ambassadors, mission heads, and international organization representatives in Kabul, Muttaqi stated that the airstrikes were conducted around 9 p.m. on March 16 by the "military aircraft and drones of the Pakistani military regime." He accused the Pakistani military of intentionally targeting one of the most vulnerable populations in Afghan society.

He noted that the casualties included drug-dependent individuals receiving treatment through Afghan government programs, which are backed by international humanitarian organizations. "These numbers could potentially increase," he warned.

Muttaqi emphasized that the strikes revealed a blatant disregard by the Pakistani military for both Islamic and humanitarian wartime principles, accusing them of intentionally attacking civilian and humanitarian facilities.

He pointed out that the assault, which occurred in the final days of Ramadan and just before Eid al-Fitr, exemplified a lack of respect for human and Islamic values by the Pakistani military.

The Acting Foreign Minister drew parallels between the current situation and the atrocities committed by the Israeli regime against Gaza, urging nations, organizations, religious scholars, media, and global public opinion to denounce what he termed an inhumane and oppressive act.

Muttaqi noted that this attack took place despite mediation efforts from several countries, including the People’s Republic of China, and argued that the leadership of Pakistan’s military shows no intent to seek diplomatic resolutions.

He accused the Pakistani military of striving to increase instability in the region and obstruct emerging regional initiatives and projects.

Expressing a loss of trust in Pakistan’s diplomatic intentions, he stated that the Pakistani military apparatus lacks respect for diplomatic efforts.

He cited previous incidents, including airspace violations on February 22, when Pakistani forces bombed seven civilian sites, including a madrasa, resulting in the deaths of 15 individuals.

In response, Afghan security forces have taken proportionate defensive actions, targeting only military sites from which attacks originated. He reiterated that these defensive measures would persist until Pakistan ceases its "violations and crimes."

Muttaqi emphasized that the Islamic Emirate seeks positive relations with all nations, particularly in the region, and wishes to prevent the spread of instability.

He affirmed that Afghanistan has communicated its stance to allied nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkiye, and China.

Additionally, he addressed the broader regional context, expressing hope that unlawful aggressions by the United States and Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran would come to an end, urging Iran to avoid targeting countries uninvolved in the conflict to prevent further escalation of war.

He concluded by urging diplomats to relay Afghanistan’s message to their respective capitals, asserting that the government will take all necessary actions to protect its territory, sovereignty, and dignity.