Pakistan’s Plan to Deport Afghan Refugees Sparks Tensions with Taliban
In a move that has caused strained relations with the Taliban, Pakistan recently announced its plans to forcibly deport hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees. As tensions escalate, the Taliban has issued a warning to Pakistan, urging them not to be “cruel” to the Afghans leaving the country.
Pakistan’s decision to ask all undocumented refugees, including an estimated 1.7 million Afghans, to leave the country has been met with backlash from Kabul, which described it as “unacceptable.” Afghanistan’s acting deputy defense minister, Mohammed Yaqoob Mujahid, has vowed to do everything possible to prevent mistreatment of its citizens and has called on the United Nations to intervene in what he sees as an ongoing migrant crisis.
Already, nearly a quarter of a million Afghans have fled Pakistan in fear of potential imprisonment ahead of the October 31 deadline, and many more are making their way towards border regions. Pakistani security forces are conducting thorough searches to find any undocumented foreign residents, heightening tensions even further.
The timing of this deportation crackdown is particularly precarious, given that the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, an offshoot of the Taliban, has intensified its terror attacks against security forces in Pakistan. The Pakistani government and military have repeatedly warned Afghanistan for allegedly providing safe haven to terrorists involved in these attacks.
The migration of hundreds of thousands of Afghans to Pakistan over the years can be traced back to the ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan. Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, approximately 600,000 Afghans have arrived in Pakistan, seeking refuge. However, the Taliban authorities have been attempting to lure back those who left, despite the nation suffering from a reduction in aid following the collapse of the US-backed government.
As tensions continue to rise between Pakistan and the Taliban, the situation remains precarious for Afghan refugees caught in the middle. The deportation of these vulnerable individuals sparks concerns about their safety and well-being. With the refugee crisis looming, the international community, including the United Nations, will face increasing pressure to address this urgent humanitarian issue and find a resolution that ensures the protection of Afghan refugees.
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