Pakistan behavior against Afghan refugees 'unacceptable': Taliban

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
4 Oct 2023 18:24

The Taliban movement calls on the Pakistani authorities to revise their refugee deportation plan.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid speaks during a press conference in Kabul on Sept. 6, 2021. (AFP Photo)

The Taliban has criticized the Pakistani government's intention to deport persons unlawfully staying in the country, particularly Afghan residents.

On Tuesday, Pakistani officials ordered 700,000 Afghan people to leave the country owing to their alleged involvement in terrorism or other illegal activities. According to the Pakistani authorities, the migrants must leave Pakistan by November 1 or face deportation.

Taliban Chief Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid posted on X that Pakistan's behavior is "unacceptable," asserting that Afghan refugees were not the cause of "Pakistan's security problems."

Mujahid considered that unless the Afghans voluntarily decide to leave Pakistan on their own, "Pakistan should tolerate them."

The behavior of Pakistan against Afghan refugees is unacceptable. The Pakistani side should reconsider its plan. Afghan refugees are not involved in Pakistan's security problems. As long as they leave Pakistan voluntarily, that country should tolerate them.
— Zabihullah (..ذبـــــیح الله م ) (@Zabehulah_M33) October 4, 2023

The United Nations reported that around 1.3 million Afghans have been formally registered as refugees in Pakistan, with 880,000 having legal refugee status. According to the Pakistani government, 400,000 Afghans have crossed into Pakistan since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 2021.

According to the Pakistani authorities, at least 700 Afghans were detained in the Pakistani city of Karachi alone in September, which is ten times the number recorded in August, and hundreds more in other cities.

Days ago, a powerful explosion targeted a rally held to celebrate the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad in southwest Pakistan, according to reports from local Pakistani media.

The explosion claimed the lives of at least 34 people and left dozens of others injured, as confirmed by local Pakistani officials and media outlets.