Afghanistan writes to UNSC again on Islamabad, alleges violations by Pakistan forces

For the second time in a week, Afghanistan has taken its neighbour Pakistan to United Nations Security Council (UNSC). 

Kabul in a letter to UNSC raised the issue of "consistent violations of Afghanistan's territory" by Pakistani forces and has called on the powerful United Nations body to initiate necessary measures to address the matter at hand in an ''effective manner". 

In a letter by Deputy Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to United Nation, Nazifullah Salarzai said," the nature of these violations mainly includes persistent shelling of Afghan territory, particularly in districts and villages of Kunar and Nangarhar provinces". 

Violations also include Violation of Afghan airspace by Pakistani military aircraft and building of military posts. 

Afghanistan said the violations date back to 2012 but have increased in frequency since 2017. 

During 2012 to 2017 period, 28,849 artillery shells were fired into Afghanistan by Pakistan resulting in the death of at least 82 people and injuring 187 others. 

Since January 1, 2018,  the number of violations by Pakistan in Afghanistan stands at 161 which include firing 6025 artillery shells into Afghan territory.

The Afghan government also exposed the policy of the new Pakistan government led by Imran Khan to UNSC. Recalling the September 2018 visit of Pakistan's foreign minister Shah Mehmud Qureishi to Kabul during which Islamabad reiterated its commitment to implement the Afghanistan Pakistan action plan, Salarzai said, "What we have seen is nothing but actions that translate to the continued violation of the action plan".

Afghanistan Pakistan action plan or Afghanistan Pakistan Action plan for peace and solidarity (APAPPS) was agreed by former Pakistan government under Pakistani Prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and the Afghan government for peace between the 2 countries. It also included a commitment to avoid territorial and aerial violations.

Last week Afghanistan wrote a letter to UNSC on Islamabad's engagement with the Taliban and support to terror groups. Kabul had written the letter in the backdrop of Taliban meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad, saying the meet "undermines" the Afghan peace process and "violates Afghanistan's national sovereignty." 

Taliban subsequently called off the meet saying they are unable to travel due to US/UN travel restrictions on them.