Afghans in the United Kingdom demonstrate against Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan

*Paromita Das

A large number of Afghans living in the United Kingdom demonstrated outside the Pakistan embassy in London in response to recent airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Khost and Kunar provinces.

Pakistani aircraft launched airstrikes into Afghan territory on the night of April 15, killing more than 40 civilians.

Following the incident, the Taliban summoned Pakistan’s ambassador, Manssor Ahmad Khan, to express their concerns to the Pakistani government.

“The Pakistan army has killed more than 100 Afghan civilians – they were children, women, and elderly people – they were not terrorists,” a protester said.
Protesters dubbed Pakistan a terrorist state and chanted slogans such as “We want justice from the UN,” urging the international community to hold Islamabad accountable for the genocide in Afghanistan.

The All Afghan Protection CIC demonstration also brought up the issue of Iran’s inhumane treatment of Afghan refugees.

Protesters gathered outside the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Embassy in Knightsbridge before marching to the High Commission for Pakistan, where they demanded an end to Pakistan’s interference and killing of Afghan civilians.

Similar protests took place in Paris, France.