Kabul, April 2 (IANS) Afghanistan’s Minister of Economy, Qari Din Mohammad Hanif said on Thursday that more than 27,000 Afghan families across nine provinces have been displaced due to attacks carried out by Pakistan’s military, local media reported.
During a coordination meeting with officials from the United Nations agencies and national and international organisations on Thursday, Hanif said that Pakistan has carried out hostile actions against Afghanistan in recent months, Afghanistan-based Pajhwok Afghan News reported. He further said that at least 27,344 families have been displaced in Nuristan, Zabul, Paktia, Khost, Paktika, Kunar, Nangarhar, Laghman and Kandahar provinces of the country.
Hanif noted that many of these families are currently residing without access to basic necessities, including adequate food, clothing, shelter and healthcare. He mentioned that Taliban has taken measures to address the economic and livelihood challenges faced by displaced people of Afghanistan. However, he urged UN agencies and partner organisation to provide humanitarian assistance.
He said that use of heavy weaponry in residential areas has caused civilian casualties and displacement of hundreds of families. He termed these actions a serious humanitarian violation and against Islamic principles.
Hanif made these remarks during a meeting convened by Afghanistan’s Ministry of Economy. Titled ‘Coordination on Mobilizing Emergency Assistance from United Nations Agencies and National and International Non-Governmental Organizations for Internally Displaced Persons Affected by Recent Bombardments’, the meeting on Thursday saw participation of representatives from various domestic and international organisations.
UNICEF head in Afghanistan, Tajuddin Oyewale, stressed the need for both nations to pursue peaceful solutions. He mentioned that infrastructure damage, including impacts on at least 10 health facilities have occurred in addition to displacement. He expressed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting displaced people in Afghanistan and expressed hope that Afghan authorities would facilitate access to remote areas to enable effective aid delivery, Pajhwok Afghan News reported.
Tensions have escalated tremendously between Kabul and Islamabad over the past few months due to the Pakistani airstrikes and artillery fire which has resulted in the deaths of dozens of people in war-torn Afghanistan.
On March 29, one person was killed and 16 others were injured after Pakistani forces launched rocket and heavy weapon attacks on residential areas in Afghanistan’s Kunar province, officials said. The shelling hit areas near Asadabad and nearby homes.
–IANS
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