In the midst of this turbulence, Afghanistan announced their controversial withdrawal from the T20 series against Zimbabwe scheduled for later this month. That decision follows a Pakistani airstrike that last week killed eight civilians, according to the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB). The unfortunate strikes in Paktika province has brought sharp condemnation and calls for re-thinking diplomacy.
On Saturday, tens of thousands filled the streets as the victims were taken to their funeral. Their presence underscored the tragic collateral damage of the airstrike. The ACB expressed deep sorrow over the loss, describing it as “a great loss for Afghanistan’s sports community, its athletes, and the cricketing family.”
The June 16 airstrike on a house in Urgon district came as families were preparing to eat dinner after a local football match. Pakistan’s military said the operation focused specifically on militants and insisted that only about 70 militants were killed. Pakistan’s Minister of Information, Attaullah Tarar, dismissed allegations that the strike aimed at civilians as “false and meant to generate support for terrorist groups operating from inside Afghanistan.”
The sad news came just hours after a truce between Afghanistan and Pakistan that has been in effect for several months was reportedly headed toward expiration. This ceasefire began on Wednesday at 13:00 GMT and has reportedly been extended. As tensions continue to escalate, an Afghan government delegation arrived Saturday in Doha. They are due to enter peace negotiations with their Pakistani counterparts. Pakistan’s Foreign Office on 23 October confirmed that Defence Minister Khawaja Asif would be heading their delegation in these talks.
Hamid Karzai, former President of Afghanistan, urged Pakistan to “reconsider its policies, and pursue friendly and civilised relations” with Afghanistan. This appeal for new diplomacy is a welcome sign of the many public calls for greater stability in a region too often characterized by anger, warfare and misunderstanding.
The ramifications of the airstrike continue to echo throughout Afghan society, most notably among its youth. Rashid Khan, a prominent Afghan cricketer, remarked on the tragedy faced by “aspiring young cricketers who dreamed of representing their nation on the world stage.”
Leave a Reply