In a recent statement, Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Afghan Taliban, voiced vehement opposition to Pakistan’s decision to expel undocumented Afghan nationals from its territory. The pronouncement follows an ultimatum issued by Pakistan’s caretaker government, mandating that all undocumented immigrants, including Afghan citizens, must depart the country by October 31. Failure to comply could result in imprisonment and deportation to their respective homelands.
This pivotal decision emanated from an apex committee meeting chaired by Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, in the presence of the country’s top military brass. Among the key outcomes was the requirement for travel across the border to be contingent on valid passports and visas, with electronic Afghan identity cards, known as “e-tazkiras,” being recognized only until the aforementioned October deadline.
Post this deadline, a comprehensive operation targeting illicit properties and businesses associated with immigrants or those jointly operated with Pakistani nationals is set to commence.
In a statement disseminated via social media platform X (formerly Twitter), available in both Urdu and English, Mujahid firmly denounced the treatment of Afghan refugees in Pakistan, characterizing it as unacceptable. He further emphasized that Afghan refugees were not linked to Pakistan’s security issues and advocated for their tolerance within the country as long as they depart voluntarily.
The Pakistani Foreign Office is yet to provide an official response on this matter.
According to the latest data from the United Nations, approximately 1.3 million Afghans in Pakistan hold registered refugee status, while an additional 880,000 possess legal documentation to remain in the country. However, the Pakistani government contends that a further 1.7 million Afghan individuals reside in Pakistan without proper legal authorization.
Apart from criticism by the Afghan spokesperson, this policy announcement has elicited concerns from various quarters. Former PPP senator Farhatullah Babar, in a statement on X, accused the government of manipulating the refugee situation for undisclosed objectives and warned of potential backlash. He highlighted that the tripartite agreement allows for only voluntary repatriation.
The Afghanistan Embassy in Islamabad previously accused the Punjab and Sindh police of conducting a “ruthless” operation against Afghan refugees, showing little distinction between genders and even arresting women and children. The embassy disclosed that over 1,000 Afghans had been detained in the past two weeks, with half of them possessing legitimate rights to stay in Pakistan.
Amnesty International also raised concerns, condemning the Pakistani government’s actions for creating an atmosphere of fear among refugees.
In opposition to the set deadline, a United Nations official, Qaisar Khan Afridi, representing the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), asserted that any refugee return must be voluntary, free from coercion, and geared towards safeguarding the well-being of those seeking refuge. The UNHCR expressed readiness to assist Pakistan in developing a system for monitoring and recording individuals seeking international protection within its borders, with a focus on addressing specific vulnerabilities.
This discourse unfolds against the backdrop of the Pakistani state’s intensified crackdown on Afghan refugees. September witnessed a notable surge in the apprehension and detention of Afghan refugees, with the government citing illegal immigration and a surge in crime as the driving forces behind this operation. Police and politicians maintain that the recent crackdown exclusively targets those lacking legal status, though Afghans argue that the arrests have been indiscriminate.
