United Nations: India has strongly condemned Pakistan's airstrikes on Afghanistan as a "flagrant violation" of international law, saying it is "hypocritical" to invoke Islamic solidarity while carrying out attacks that have killed civilians during Ramadan.
Addressing a Security Council meeting on the situation in Afghanistan this week, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, reiterated New Delhi's support for the UN Secretary-General's call for compliance with international law, including international humanitarian law, and for ensuring the protection of civilians.
"It is hypocritical to espouse high principles of international law and Islamic solidarity on the one hand, while mercilessly carrying out air strikes during the holy month of Ramadan that have killed 185 innocent civilians as of March 6, more than half of whom are women and children," he said.
According to the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), around 55 per cent of the 185 victims were women and children, and more than 100,000 people have been displaced due to the attacks.
Pakistan had launched airstrikes in Afghanistan in late February, resulting in heavy casualties and injuries.
Schools shut, offices go hybrid in PakistanThe Pakistan government has chalked out a set of fuel-saving measures after oil prices surged over $100 due to the Middle East crisis. As part of the measures, the government announced that the schools would be shut for a fortnight, and government offices would operate four days a week. "Government offices, excluding the banks, will operate four days a week to save fuel. All schools will be closed for two weeks after this week ends; higher education will go online immediately to save fuel," Sharif said in a press meet, as reported by news agency Reuters. Adding further, he mentioned, "Other than essential services, 50%of staff will work from home in government departments to save fuel." |
