World appeals for calm amid escalation
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif speaks with Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir during a GHQ visit in Rawalpindi.
Friendly nations and global leaders on Friday urged calm between Pakistan and Afghanistan following overnight border clashes and Pakistan's punitive retaliatory action against Kabul that killed hundreds of Taliban operatives and destroyed their several check posts.
Top diplomats from several countries took to social media urging restraint, dialogue and adherence to international law, while Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reached out to his counterparts from key regional partners to brief them on the unfolding situation.
Pakistan launched operation Ghazab Lil Haq soon after Taliban attacked Pakistani posts along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border at several places. In retaliation, troops beat back the Taliban attackers, and later Pakistan Air Force (PAF) blitzkrieg hit and destroyed several targets.
According to Foreign Office, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had a telephone call with Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr Badr Abdelatty and underlined that Pakistan's response to unprovoked Afghan aggression had been "measured but decisive".
He said that the Pakistani armed forces carried out successful action under Operation Ghazab Lil Haq to protect the country's territorial integrity. Both sides emphasised the importance of peace and stability in the wider region and agreed to remain in close contact as developments evolve.
A similar message was conveyed to Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the two discussed "developments in the region and ways to reduce tensions" while safeguarding security and stability.
Turkey also stepped in diplomatically. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan discussed the conflict with Dar, a Turkish diplomatic source told Reuters. The Foreign Office said Dar stressed that Islamabad had responded "befittingly" to unprovoked aggression.
Global powers, including Russia and China were increasingly focused on preventing further escalation. Russia called on both sides to halt cross-border attacks immediately and resolve differences through diplomatic means.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Moscow was concerned by the "unusual and rapid escalation" involving regular military units, combat aircraft and heavy weapons. She urged a return to talks and said Russia would consider mediation if requested.
Iran has also offered to facilitate dialogue. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran stood ready to provide any assistance necessary "to facilitate dialogue and to enhance understanding and cooperation" between Islamabad and Kabul, according to AFP.
From Beijing, China expressed deep concern over the intensity of the clashes. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the current round of fighting exceeded previous incidents and warned that continued escalation would harm both sides.
She confirmed that China was mediating through its own channels and was willing to play a constructive role in de-escalation, while urging both countries to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel and projects.
At the United Nations, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is closely monitoring the situation. His spokesperson said he urged both countries to fulfil their obligations under international law, particularly international humanitarian law, and to prioritise the protection of civilians.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk also called for urgent political dialogue, warning that escalating force would only deepen the crisis. UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett also appealed for calm.
Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan called respect for international human rights and humanitarian law, stressing that immediate de-escalation was essential as tensions spilled into violence.
Britain joined the growing list of concerned capitals. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said London was "deeply concerned by the significant escalation" and urged both sides to take immediate steps towards de-escalation, and re-engage in mediated dialogue.
Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed regret over the loss of life and called for maximum restraint. He said Pakistan's legitimate security concerns should be addressed, adding that reconciliation could only be achieved at the negotiating table.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and Qatar took the lead in efforts to halt deadly fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan, a source with knowledge of the talks told AFP on Friday.
"Saudi Arabia, in coordination with Qatar, is making efforts to reduce tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan," said the source, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.
The goal is to "de-escalate the situation and prevent it from spiralling out of control," they added.
On Friday, the acting Afghan foreign minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi called Qatar's chief negotiator Mohammed Al-Khulaifi, Doha said.
"Riyadh and Doha have been in contact at the highest levels with both sides, and we hope the confrontation will end as soon as possible," the source added.
(WITH INPUTS FROM AGENCIES)