The European Union’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Gilles Bertrand, expressed concern over the ongoing conflict between the Taliban and Pakistan during a meeting with Abdul Kabir, the Taliban’s Minister for Refugees, in Kabul.
According to the Taliban’s Ministry of Refugees, Bertrand warned that the continued fighting was worsening Afghanistan’s humanitarian situation and urged both Kabul and Islamabad to resolve their differences through dialogue. Abdul Kabir told the envoy that the clashes had created major difficulties for returning Afghan refugees.
The meeting came as the Taliban and Pakistan agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire following intense border clashes. Pakistan’s defence minister, however, said he was not optimistic about the truce holding.
Bertrand’s concerns follow reports that Pakistan’s border closures amid the conflict have further strained humanitarian conditions. During the meeting, Kabir called on the European Union to continue providing aid and stressed that international assistance should not be politicised.
According to the Taliban ministry, the European Union has allocated €138 million to support basic needs and humanitarian programmes in Afghanistan.
