Pakistan has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining peaceful and stable relations with Afghanistan, stressing that dialogue and regional cooperation are key to promoting long-term stability.

The remarks were made by Murtaza Solangi, spokesperson for the President of Pakistan, during the international conference, Pakistan in a Transforming Geopolitical Environment, hosted by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI).

Solangi said Islamabad remains committed to peaceful ties with Afghanistan and has consistently supported the Afghan people. He added that Pakistan does not want Afghan territory to be used as a safe haven for militant groups and emphasized the need to work together to strengthen regional peace and security.

He also welcomed mediation efforts by China, Türkiye and Qatar aimed at improving relations between Islamabad and Kabul, saying Pakistan supports dialogue as the best way to address bilateral challenges.

Highlighting the importance of regional integration, Solangi described Afghanistan as a vital link in efforts to enhance connectivity and economic cooperation across the region.

The conference featured a session titled Afghanistan, Central Asia and the Future of Regional Stability, where officials, diplomats and regional experts discussed security, trade links and opportunities for greater regional cooperation.

The event was organized by the Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East and Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), and focused on geopolitical developments shaping South and Central Asia.

Pakistani airstrikes carried out across three eastern Afghan provinces on June 29 killed at least 28 civilians and wounded 49 others, including women and children, according to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

Pakistan has said the strikes targeted militants it blames for attacks on its security personnel in Karachi days earlier, but has not released details about the operation.

UNAMA said however that during the first three months of 2026, cross-border attacks by Pakistani forces killed or injured more than 750 Afghan civilians, with most casualties resulting from airstrikes in eastern and southern Afghanistan. Pakistan maintains that armed groups operating from Afghan territory have carried out attacks inside Pakistan, some of which have also caused civilian casualties.

While civilian deaths do not automatically indicate violations of international humanitarian law, rights groups say such incidents highlight the need for independent investigations into whether the attacks complied with the laws of war.

UNAMA previously reported that Pakistani airstrikes on April 27 in Asadabad and other parts of Kunar province killed seven civilians and wounded 79 others, including 13 women and 39 children. One resident told Human Rights Watch that his four-year-old daughter lost several fingers in the attack, while his 11-year-old brother was killed.

Human Rights Watch has also raised concerns over a March 16 airstrike on the Omid Drug Rehabilitation Center in Kabul, which reportedly killed at least 269 civilians and injured more than 122 others, most of them patients. The organization said its investigation found no evidence that the facility was being used for military purposes, describing the attack as unlawfully indiscriminate.

The rights group further said that Pakistani mortar and artillery fire has forced the closure of 19 health facilities, worsening humanitarian conditions in areas already affected by the return of Afghan refugees from Pakistan.

International humanitarian law requires all parties involved in armed conflict to take every feasible precaution to protect civilians. It obliges attacking forces to distinguish between military targets and civilians, while defending forces are required, where possible, to keep military objectives away from populated areas. The obligations remain binding on all parties regardless of the conduct of the opposing side.

Argentina scored two late goals to defeat England 2-1 in a dramatic FIFA World Cup semi-final in Atlanta on Wednesday, booking their place in Sunday’s final against Spain.

England looked set to reach their first World Cup final since 1966 after Anthony Gordon gave his side the lead early in the second half. However, the defending champions staged a remarkable comeback, with Enzo Fernandez equalising in the 85th minute before substitute Lautaro Martinez headed home Lionel Messi’s cross deep into stoppage time.

The victory sends Argentina into the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where they will face European champions Spain. England will take on France in Saturday’s third-place play-off.

The opening half was a tightly contested affair, with both teams cancelling each other out and creating few clear scoring opportunities.

England broke the deadlock 10 minutes after the restart when Harry Kane helped launch an attack that ended with Morgan Rogers delivering a low cross for Gordon to calmly finish at the far post.

Argentina gradually took control of the match, forcing England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford into several important saves. Nico Gonzalez was denied by the England keeper before Alexis Mac Allister struck the woodwork as the South Americans piled on the pressure.

Their persistence paid off five minutes from full time when Messi found Fernandez on the edge of the penalty area. The midfielder controlled the ball before firing a powerful strike beyond Pickford to level the score.

With momentum firmly in their favour, Argentina continued to press for a winner. Mac Allister hit the post for a second time before Messi collected the rebound and delivered a cross for Martinez, who headed home in the second minute of stoppage time to complete the comeback.

Argentina will now attempt to retain the World Cup title they won in Qatar, while England were left to reflect on another heartbreaking exit after surrendering their lead in the closing stages.