Afghan MP Condemns Pakistan Military's Deadly Attacks on Civilians: "You've Bred Terrorists"

Solaimankhil called for New Delhi and Kabul to unite against "the extremist ideology born in Rawalpindi."

Washington:

Pakistan's military has escalated border tensions by launching severe attacks across the Durand Line into Afghanistan's Paktia province, resulting in the deaths of eight Afghan civilians, including three local cricket players, and wounding eight others. These strikes targeting civilian areas have triggered widespread condemnation from the Afghan diaspora globally.

In an exclusive NDTV interview from the United States, former Afghan Member of Parliament Mariam Solaimankhil denounced the attacks as "cowardly and barbaric," directly implicating Pakistan's military for what she termed "systematic terrorism" in the region.

"This comes as no surprise," she stated. "It reflects the same violent pattern the ISI and Pakistan Army have implemented for decades across India and Afghanistan. The killing of young cricketers, infants, and mothers is truly devastating."

Solaimankhil connected the increase in cross-border aggression to Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi's recent diplomatic visit to India, suggesting Pakistan was acting out of insecurity.

"Pakistan's military establishment feels threatened whenever Afghanistan strengthens ties with India, our historical and brotherly partner. Their economy thrives on conflict and devastation," she explained. "They cannot accept peaceful relations between Afghans and Indians."

Advocating for enhanced India-Afghanistan collaboration, Solaimankhil encouraged both nations to stand together against "the extremist ideology emanating from Rawalpindi." She commended India's unwavering support for Afghans throughout political transitions, emphasizing that "our shared cultural heritage and history must overcome Pakistan's exported extremism."

The exiled parliamentarian delivered a pointed message to Pakistan's Army Chief, General Asim Munir: "You harvest what you plant. You've cultivated terrorists as strategic assets for decades. Don't be surprised when the flames you ignited consume your own home."

She further alleged that the Pakistani establishment operates "a propaganda machine with countless trolls" to rationalize civilian casualties under the pretense of counter-terrorism operations against the TTP. "They claim to target terrorist camps, but haven't identified or presented a single TTP member. Instead, we see images of Afghan children murdered in cold blood."

The former MP also advocated for boycotting cricket matches with Pakistan, stating, "Nations that uphold human rights should refuse to compete with a regime that sheds our blood and appropriates our culture."

As international response remains muted, she cautioned, "The facade is crumbling. The world must intervene before Pakistan's militarism completely undermines peace across South Asia."

Previously, the Afghanistan Cricket Board expressed profound sorrow regarding the tragic killings of Afghan cricketers from Urgun District in Paktika Province, who were attacked in what they described as a cowardly assault by the Pakistani regime.

In this tragic incident, three players (Kabeer, Sibghatullah and Haroon), along with 5 other Afghan nationals from Urgun District, lost their lives, while seven others sustained injuries. The players had traveled to Sharana, Paktika province's capital, for a friendly cricket match. After returning to Urgun, they were targeted during a gathering," according to the Afghan Cricket Board's statement.

In response to this tragedy and to honor the victims, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has decided to withdraw from the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series involving Pakistan, scheduled for late November," the statement continued.