Richard Bennett welcomes Taliban-Pakistan Ceasefire, Calling it a Vital Move
Tawazon – Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, has welcomed the recent ceasefire agreement between the Taliban and Pakistan, calling it as a crucial step toward reducing tensions following weeks of deadly cross-border clashes.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Bennett expressed condolences to the families of civilians killed or injured during the hostilities. “Their safety must be paramount. International law is not optional,” he stated.
The UN official also said the diplomatic efforts that helped secure the agreement, specifically acknowledging the role of Qatar in facilitating dialogue between Taliban representatives and Pakistani officials in Doha.
The ceasefire, finalized over the past weekend, comes after a series of clashes along the Durand Line, which included reported Pakistani airstrikes and Taliban retaliatory shelling.Reports indicate that dozens of civilians were killed or injured, with the UN confirming at least 37 deaths and over 400 injuries.
A second round of negotiations is expected to take place in Istanbul later this month to ensure continued compliance and discuss further measures.
