Taliban Ambassador Urges Pakistan to Respect Afghan Refugee Rights
Tawazon- Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb, the Taliban’s ambassador to Pakistan, has urged the Pakistani government to respect the rights of Afghan refugees amid reports of widespread deportations and restrictive policies.
Ambassador Shakeeb stated that Pakistan has deported both undocumented Afghan refugees and those with valid legal documentation. According to reports, hundreds of Afghan refugees have been detained and repatriated over the past two months.
In addition to deportations, Afghan refugees have raised concerns over Pakistan’s recent decision to reduce visa extension periods to one month, which has created significant challenges. Previously, the Pakistani government issued a warning that Afghan residents in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, including those with valid visas, must leave these cities by March.
Despite discussions with the Pakistani authorities about the refugees’ plight, Shakeeb stated that the detentions and deportations have not stopped.
Meanwhile, thousands of Afghan refugees in Islamabad are awaiting resettlement to third countries. However, Pakistan’s recent strict policies have heightened concerns and created uncertainty for many of these individuals.
Afghan refugees have called on international organizations and countries to pressure Pakistan into softening its policies and ensuring the protection of Afghan refugees.
This development comes amid rising tensions and uncertainty surrounding the status of Afghan refugees across the region.
