Afghanistan Times
Related Articles
AT News
KABUL – The Taliban administration in Kabul has strongly criticized Pakistan’s ultimatum to forcibly expel illegal Afghan immigrants, labeling it as “unacceptable.” The spokesman for the Taliban administration, Zabihullah Mujahid, stated on Wednesday that Afghans should not be held responsible for Pakistan’s security issues.
Pakistan’s caretaker government, in response to ongoing concerns, has estimated that approximately 1.73 million Afghan immigrants are residing in the country without legal status. As a response to this, they have set a deadline of November 1 for these immigrants to leave voluntarily or face forcible expulsion.
Mujahid expressed his disapproval of Pakistan’s treatment of Afghan refugees, emphasizing, “The behavior of Pakistan towards Afghan refugees is unacceptable.” He made this statement via the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
To provide justification for the expulsion threat, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti claimed that Afghan nationals had been involved in 14 out of 24 suicide bombings that occurred in Pakistan this year. However, the Taliban spokesperson rejected these allegations, stating, “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.”
This move by Pakistan to give an ultimatum to Afghan immigrants, many of whom have been living in the country for an extended period, followed a meeting of civil and military leaders to address the law and order situation. This meeting was convened in the aftermath of two suicide bombings that occurred last Friday, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 57 lives. Minister Bugti claimed that one of the suicide bombers was an Afghan national and also accused India’s intelligence agency of involvement.
The relationship between the Taliban and the Pakistan government has deteriorated significantly, with recent border clashes leading to the temporary closure of the primary trade route between the two nations. Islamabad alleges that militants use Afghan territory for training and planning attacks inside Pakistan, accusations vehemently denied by the Taliban, who assert that Pakistan’s security issues are internally generated.
Amidst the prevailing uncertainty and instability in Pakistan, a caretaker government was installed in August, with elections anticipated in the coming months. This has resulted in the military exerting greater influence within the country.
