Afghan Economy Minister: 27,000+ Families Displaced by Pakistan Operations Across Nine Provinces

Afghanistan's Economy Minister Qari Din Mohammad Hanif reported that more than 27,000 Afghan families across nine provinces had been displaced by Pakistan's military operations under Operation Ghazab-il-Haq since the conflict intensified on February 26. Many of those displaced lacked access to food, shelter, and healthcare. The figure represented a significant increase from the 120,000+ individuals reported by UNHCR earlier in March. Displacement was concentrated in Kunar, Nangarhar, Khost, Paktika, Paktia, Kandahar, and surrounding border provinces. The minister called on the international community to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to displaced families and urged Pakistan to halt strikes on civilian areas.