Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – The Taliban made an appeal on Saturday to Afghanistan’s private sector to assist individuals fleeing Pakistan’s mass deportation campaign. This call comes as tensions escalate between Pakistan and the Taliban over the treatment of Afghan refugees.
Mohammed Yaqoob Mujahid, acting deputy defense minister of the Taliban, issued a warning to Pakistan regarding the treatment of Afghan refugees leaving the country amid Islamabad’s swift anti-migrant crackdown. He emphasized that Pakistan should not be “cruel” to Afghans and should not seize their personal property and assets. Mujahid cautioned that such actions would face scrutiny as they go against any established rules or laws.
Pakistan’s deportation drive primarily affects Afghans, who constitute the largest group of undocumented foreigners in the country. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Kabul has urged Afghanistan’s private sector to step in and help address the dire humanitarian situation arising from the forced migration of hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees.
Afghanistan is grappling with numerous challenges, including drought, a struggling economy, and the aftermath of decades of conflict. The influx of returning refugees adds to these difficulties, with concerns rising about the country’s ability to support and integrate them.
Taliban officials have been seen at the Torkham border in eastern Nangarhar province, welcoming returning Afghans and providing temporary camps with food, shelter, and healthcare. As many as 250,000 Afghans left Pakistan before an October 31 deadline, and tens of thousands are now at risk of detention and deportation.
Aid agencies have rushed to border areas to assist returning Afghans, who often lack basic necessities and resources. The deportation drive has strained relations between Pakistan and the Taliban, with Pakistan accusing Afghans of carrying out attacks in the country, while the Taliban deny these allegations. The Taliban’s acting defense minister in Kabul warned that the ongoing situation could negatively impact relations between the two countries.
