The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has called for an immediate end to the escalating conflict between Pakistan’s military and Afghanistan’s de facto authorities, warning that the continued violence is inflicting severe suffering on civilians already grappling with humanitarian hardship.
In a statement issued from Geneva today 6th March, 2026, Türk said the recent surge in hostilities along the border has resulted in rising casualties, widespread displacement, and growing humanitarian concerns on both sides.
According to the United Nations, 56 Afghan civilians have been killed since fighting intensified last week, including 24 children and six women, while 129 others have been injured, among them 41 children and 31 women.
The violence has also forced up to 66,000 people to flee their homes in Afghanistan.
Across the border in Pakistan, shelling has displaced civilians, struck at least two schools, and forced the closure of more than 100 others, disrupting education and daily life in affected communities.
“Civilians on both sides of the border are now fleeing from airstrikes, heavy artillery fire, mortar shelling and gunfire. I plead with all parties to bring an end to the conflict, and to prioritize helping those experiencing extreme hardship,” Türk said.
The UN rights chief urged both sides to fully comply with international human rights and humanitarian law, including conducting prompt and independent investigations into alleged violations and ensuring accountability for those responsible.
UN figures show that Pakistani forces were responsible for 87 civilian deaths and 518 injuries in Afghanistan in 2025, the highest number recorded since 2009. Since January 2026 alone, at least 69 people have been killed and 141 injured.
The renewed escalation in violence comes at a time when Afghanistan is already facing a severe humanitarian crisis. Since Pakistan launched its Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan in September 2023, more than two million Afghans have returned to their country, while another two million remain in Pakistan, enduring difficult living conditions and uncertainty over possible deportation.
Türk warned that ongoing fighting is further worsening the situation by limiting humanitarian access to vulnerable populations.
“As a result of the violence, humanitarian assistance is unable to reach many of those desperately in need. This is piling misery on misery,” he added.
UN estimates that nearly 22 million Afghans which is about half the country’s population require humanitarian assistance, including 11.6 million children.
The recent airstrikes follow a series of deadly attacks inside Pakistan, including assaults and suicide bombings attributed to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Türk cautioned that continued retaliation will only worsen the humanitarian toll.
“The ongoing cycle of retaliation and violence only deepens the suffering of the wider population, so I urge both Afghanistan and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions and address their security concerns through dialogue, negotiation, and mutual cooperation,’’ UN High Commissioner for Human Rights stated.
Türk warned that without urgent de-escalation and renewed diplomatic engagement, civilians on both sides of the border will continue to bear the brunt of the conflict, urging the international community and regional actors to support efforts to restore stability, protect civilians, and ensure humanitarian aid reaches those most in need.
As shelling continues to displace thousands and shatter the lives of children on both sides of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, the window for diplomacy is rapidly closing.
The United Nations has laid bare the human cost; the responsibility now falls on both sides to choose whether they will fuel a cycle of endless retaliation or forge a path toward dialogue.
For the millions caught in the crossfire, peace is not a theoretical political concept; it is the only thing standing between them and utter ruin.
