UN calls for immediate halt to conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan

United Nations Headquarters, New York – UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday (27 February) called for an immediate halt to the conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan, according to his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric.

“I can tell you that the Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the escalation of violence between Afghanistan and Pakistan and the impact that this violence is having on the civilian population,” Dujarric stated during a daily press conference.

Guterres, as noted by Dujarric, reiterated his appeal to the parties concerned to resolve their differences through diplomatic channels.

Regarding the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, Dujarric said that according to UN humanitarian bodies, years of conflict, poverty, and natural disasters such as droughts and earthquakes have left nearly half of Afghanistan’s population in need of humanitarian assistance.

“This number will continue to increase if the conflict continues or escalates,” he said.

“We continue to call on all parties involved in the conflict to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law; in particular, to ensure that civilians are always protected, including civil infrastructure,” Dujarric stated.