The Foreign Office has issued a carefully worded statement expressing 'deep concern' over the Pakistani airstrikes that killed at least 28 Afghan civilians on Tuesday. The strikes, which hit a village in Khost province near the border, have sent shockwaves through an already fragile region. Whitehall sources confirm that British diplomats are working the phones, pressing for humanitarian access and urging Islamabad to de-escalate.
This is a delicate dance for the UK. Pakistan is a key ally, but the optics of civilian deaths are disastrous. The Foreign Office statement stops short of condemnation, instead calling for 'a full investigation' and 'restraint on all sides'. Translation: We need to keep Pakistan onside, but we cannot be seen to condone this.
Behind the scenes, the Treasury is nervous. Any hint of sanctions or aid cuts could destabilise a nuclear-armed state. Meanwhile, Labour backbenchers are sharpening their knives. Expect angry questions in the Commons tomorrow. The PM's team is bracing for a difficult session.
For the Afghan government, this is a gift. They have long accused Pakistan of harbouring Taliban factions. Now they can point to dead civilians and demand international action. But the UK knows that Pakistan's military establishment will not bow to pressure. They have their own calculus.
The real story here is the shifting power dynamics. Pakistan is flexing its muscles, testing the limits of western tolerance. The UK, hamstrung by Brexit and budget cuts, has little leverage. The statement is a fig leaf. The question is: how long can London maintain the balancing act?
Watch this space. The political fallout is only beginning.
