Kabul: The Islamic Emirate has called on neighboring countries, particularly Pakistan, to immediately halt the forced repatriation of Afghan refugees. Officials emphasized the importance of a collaborative and strategic approach to refugee return during a recent meeting of the High Commission for Refugee Affairs, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs Abdul Salam Hanafi.
Abdulmutalib Haqqani, spokesperson for the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation, urged Pakistan to reconsider its decision, stressing that unilateral action would be detrimental to both nations.
"Our appeal to neighboring countries, especially Pakistan, is to rethink this decision. Such a one-sided move is not in their interest nor ours," Haqqani stated.
In Pakistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur also voiced opposition to the government's refugee policy, criticizing the forced expulsion of Afghan nationals. Addressing the media, he warned that such policies have worsened relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
"These flawed decisions have created resentment and led us to this situation. I strongly oppose this policy. Afghan refugees should not be forcibly removed unless they willingly decide to return and proper conditions are ensured for them," Gandapur said.
Despite these concerns, Pakistani authorities have reaffirmed their stance, rejecting the Afghan government's request to extend the stay of refugees. According to The Express Tribune, Islamabad remains firm on its plan to deport all undocumented Afghan nationals and Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders after the March 31 deadline.
Sources cited by the publication indicated that provincial administrations have been instructed to make necessary arrangements for the repatriation process, with no possibility of relaxation in the decision.
