Mumbai, March 17: Afghan cricketer Naveen-ul-Haq has condemned Pakistan for its airstrikes in Kabul that resulted in the deaths of 400 people. He expressed difficulty in understanding the difference between the attacks on Iran by Israel and the United States and the recent strikes in his country’s capital.
In a post on his Facebook wall, Naveen stated, “It is hard to find a difference between the regimes of Israel and Pakistan.”
Naveen is among several Afghan cricketers who have denounced the airstrikes, which have claimed numerous civilian lives. Afghanistan’s captain, Rashid Khan, also condemned the attacks, calling them “horrific and deeply concerning,” and expressed solidarity with the Afghan people during this challenging time.
Rashid stated, “I am deeply saddened by the latest reports of civilian casualties due to Pakistani airstrikes. Targeting civilians in their homes, educational institutions, or medical infrastructure, whether intentionally or accidentally, is a war crime. Especially during the holy month of Ramadan, such disregard for human life is horrifying and deeply concerning. It will only foster division and hatred.”
He appealed to the United Nations and other human rights agencies to thoroughly investigate this latest atrocity and bring the perpetrators to justice. “I stand with my Afghan people during this difficult time. We will be okay, and we will rise as a nation, as always. Insha’Allah,” he wrote on social media platform X.
Another Afghan cricketer, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, expressed sorrow over the loss of innocent lives due to the attacks and questioned how long the world would remain silent on such incidents.
Gurbaz wrote on his social media account X, “During Ramadan, a hospital in Afghanistan was bombed by Pakistan. Where is international law now? Where is humanity? How many innocent lives must be lost before the world speaks up?”
Many fans have also supported these cricketers and condemned the civilian killings carried out by Pakistan.
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. Pakistan claims that the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch insurgents operate from Afghanistan and carry out attacks across the border. The Afghan Taliban accuses Pakistan of sheltering Islamic State terrorists.
A few months ago, Pakistan conducted airstrikes in several areas of Afghanistan, resulting in the deaths of three domestic cricketers. Consequently, the Afghanistan Cricket Board withdrew its team from a tri-series scheduled to take place in Pakistan.