UN Welcomes Pakistan-Afghanistan Ceasefire Ahead of Eid

JAKARTA - The United Nations (UN) welcomed the ceasefire between Afghanistan and Pakistan to mark the Eid al-Fitr holiday, and hoped that the ceasefire could be extended, said Deputy UN Spokesperson Farhan Haq at a press conference, Wednesday (18/3).

Earlier that day, Afghanistan and Pakistan announced a temporary pause in fighting starting Wednesday midnight to mark the end of Ramadan.

"It is a welcome development," Haq told reporters.

The spokesperson reiterated Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' call for de-escalation and an immediate cessation of hostilities as well as compliance with international law.

"So, (the pause) is in line with (the call). And we hope that the suspension during Eid al-Fitr can be extended," he said.

According to him, the UN also condemned Pakistan's attack on Monday (16/3) on a drug rehabilitation center in the capital Kabul.

In early March, Pakistan launched an air strike on a suspected militant hideout in Afghanistan's Nangarhar and Paktika provinces. According to Afghan authorities, dozens of civilians were killed and injured in the attack.

Previously on February 26, Afghanistan launched a military operation against a Pakistani base along the Durand Line, the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan that Kabul does not recognize, in retaliation for the bombing.

Pakistan then announced the launch of Operation Ghazab lil Haq in response to what it called "unprovoked firing" by Afghanistan in several border sectors.