On March 17, Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur focused on human rights in Afghanistan, issued a call for a swift, thorough, and impartial investigation into the Pakistani airstrike that hit a drug rehabilitation facility in Kabul. He emphasized the necessity for compensation to be provided to the victims and their families.

This statement follows a deadly airstrike by Pakistan on Monday night that targeted the 2,000-bed Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital located in the Pul-e-Charkhi region of Kabul, resulting in numerous fatalities and injuries.

"I strongly advocate for an immediate, independent, and transparent inquiry into the airstrike by Pakistan, which has reportedly led to significant loss of life and injury at the drug rehabilitation centre. Those responsible must be held accountable, and victims along with their families must receive reparations," Bennett shared on X.

His remarks were in reaction to a post from UN Human Rights on X, which called for accountability regarding the explosion at the Kabul facility.

The UN Human Rights post stated, "We urge investigations and accountability for the tragic explosion at the drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul that resulted in many patient deaths. All parties must ensure the protection of civilians."

On Tuesday, Afghanistan's Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, condemned the Pakistani airstrike, describing it as a severe violation of humanitarian and Islamic principles. He reported that the strike claimed the lives of over 408 individuals and injured more than 260, the majority of whom were patients at the rehabilitation centre, according to Afghanistan-based Ariana News. He accused Pakistan of intentionally targeting civilian infrastructures.

During discussions with diplomats and representatives of various organizations in Kabul, Muttaqi pointed out that the airstrike targeted one of society's most vulnerable groups—those undergoing treatment for drug addiction.

He voiced concerns that the string of attacks since February, including those on civilian areas across Afghanistan, has eroded confidence in diplomatic resolutions. He warned that Afghan forces would continue to take "proportionate and legitimate" defensive actions if such attacks persisted, asserting that Afghanistan seeks peace but will defend its sovereignty and territory, as reported by Ariana News.

Muttaqi called upon the international community to denounce Pakistan's actions, cautioning that further escalation from Islamabad could destabilize the broader region and jeopardize key economic and developmental efforts.