NEW DELHI: The acting minister of Refugees and Repatriation Affairs for the Taliban has called on Pakistan to address the issue of Afghan migrants through mutual understanding, as reported by Khaama Press. Pakistan is reportedly preparing to initiate the second phase of expelling Afghan migrants starting April 10, following the removal of 535,000 individuals since November last year.
Abdul Rahman Rashid, a deputy in the Afghan-Taliban Ministry of Migrants, made this plea during a meeting with Junaid Waziri, the Charge d’Affaires of the Pakistani Embassy in Kabul, emphasizing the bilateral nature of immigration decisions.
In a recent meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul, attended by diplomats and representatives from various nations, Abdul Salam Hanafi, Deputy Prime Minister of the Taliban, stated that over a million Afghan migrants had been expelled from neighboring countries.
Amnesty International has urged the immediate cancellation of the plan to expel Afghan migrants from Pakistan, citing violations of international human rights laws.
James Jennion from TOLOnews expressed disappointment in the Pakistani government’s decision to extend the deportation drive to Afghan Citizen Card holders, highlighting the potential risks Afghan refugees face in a Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
Afghan migrants in Pakistan are anxious about the upcoming second phase of expulsions, raising concerns about police treatment and uncertainty about their future. The first phase of expelling undocumented Afghan migrants commenced in November 2023, with the ‘repatriation plan’ including citizens as well set to begin on April 10.
Despite criticism from human rights organizations and Afghanistan, the Pakistani government defends its actions, asserting that the measures are not aimed at any specific ethnic group.