Condemnation of civilian deaths in Afghanistan after Pakistani airstrikes and calls for de-escalation of tensions

Credit; ACAA

The Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA), an award-winning UK-based refugee charity headquartered in London and the largest charity supporting Afghan and Central Asian communities in the United Kingdom, has strongly condemned the reported killing of innocent civilians in Afghanistan as a result of military airstrikes and bombardment carried out by the Government of Pakistan.

A statement expressed that the organisation was “gravely alarmed” by reports of military airstrikes carried out by the Pakistani Air Force against innocent civilians, including women and children.

It said: “The loss of innocent life is unacceptable under any circumstances and represents a grave violation of international humanitarian law. Civilians must never be the targets of military or political conflict. The Pakistani government must stop killing Afghan civilians.”

The ACAA has also strongly condemned what it describes as “the unlawful forced deportation and mass return of Afghan refugees from Pakistan to Taliban rule.”

In 2025 alone, approximately 942,000 undocumented Afghans have reportedly been deported, with millions more facing the threat of expulsion to life-threatening conditions.

Pakistan hosts the world’s second largest Afghan refugee population. Reports that Afghans have been falsely labelled as Taliban supporters in Pakistan have also been described as “deeply alarming.”

The statement added: “Forced returns to Taliban rule place lives at grave risk, and hundreds of Afghan refugees have already died attempting to cross into Pakistan in severe winter conditions. ACAA stands in solidarity with the millions of Afghan refugees in Pakistan who are facing growing uncertainty amid this extraordinary crisis.

“ACAA welcomes and supports today’s statement by UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, who wrote on X that the UK government is deeply concerned about the escalating tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Secretary Cooper emphasised that the UK urges both sides to take steps toward de-escalation, prevent further harm to civilians, and re-engage in mediated dialogue to resolve differences peacefully.

“We urge the UK Government to take a leading role in pursuing a diplomatic solution, to speak out clearly in defence of the human rights of the Afghan people, and to work with international partners to press for an immediate end to violence against civilians.

“As an organisation working closely with British Afghan and Pakistani refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants, many of whom have immediate family members in both Afghanistan and Pakistan, we are witnessing profound distress. The escalating tensions and conflict are causing deep anxiety among the British Afghan and British Pakistani communities, many of whom fear for relatives.”

The United Kingdom is home to more than 250,000 Afghans and approximately 2 million people of Pakistani heritage. These figures have risen in recent years, as Afghans and Pakistanis have become among the most common nationalities seeking asylum in the UK, reflecting worsening conditions in both countries.

As a leading charity advocating for refugee and migrant rights and the largest organisation supporting the Afghan diaspora in the UK, ACAA is calling for de-escalation.

The organisation also calls for:

• De-escalation to prevent further civilian casualties.
• Full adherence to international humanitarian law by all parties.
• The protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure as an absolute priority.
• An independent and transparent investigation into Pakistani airstrikes.
• Renewed and sustained mediated dialogue, backed by the international community.

Commenting on the situation, Darius Nasimi, Head of Funding & Partnerships at the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA), said: “At this deeply distressing moment, we urge the British Afghan and British Pakistani communities to remain calm. Communities in the United Kingdom should not be divided by geopolitical tensions abroad. Our shared future in Britain must be built on understanding, mutual respect, and tolerance.

“ACAA stands in solidarity with all innocent civilians affected by this violence and with the millions of displaced and vulnerable Afghans facing uncertainty in Pakistan. Our thoughts are with the families who have lost loved ones and with those living in fear of further violence.”