The European Union (EU) has criticized a Pakistani airstrike on a medical facility in Kabul, denouncing it as a dangerous escalation in the Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict. The EU has called on both sides to show restraint and safeguard civilians, emphasizing that attacks on medical facilities and civilians breach international humanitarian laws. The recent Pakistani strike targeted the 2,000-bed Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul’s Pul-e-Charkhi area, resulting in numerous casualties.
The EU, echoing global sentiments, has demanded an immediate ceasefire and a return to dialogue between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, revealed that the Pakistani assault on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital claimed the lives of more than 408 patients in drug rehabilitation and left over 265 individuals wounded. Muttaqi accused Pakistan’s military of disregarding Islamic and humanitarian principles by deliberately attacking vulnerable groups in Afghan society.
Muttaqi further accused Pakistan’s military of targeting civilian and humanitarian facilities, emphasizing that the victims were part of Afghan government programs supported by international humanitarian organizations. He condemned the assault for occurring during the holy month of Ramadan and on the eve of Eid al-Fitr. Afghan security forces, as per Muttaqi, responded defensively by targeting military sites responsible for the attacks and vowed to continue such actions until Pakistan halts its alleged violations and crimes.
