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KABUL – More than 200,000 Afghan refugees have returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan since November 1, according to a spokesman for the interim Afghan administration. Suhail Shaheen, who also serves as the Taliban administration’s nominee to the UN, shared this information with Anadolu.
Shaheen emphasized the urgent need for funds to support the returning refugees as the situation remains challenging. However, he noted that confirming the exact number of refugees who have returned since November 1 is not possible at this time.
Pakistan had set November 1 as the deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave the country, termed the “Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan.” This action has raised concerns, with the UN urging Islamabad to reconsider such measures.
Convoys of Afghan refugees have been returning to Afghanistan, with the interim Taliban administration establishing two main camps on the Afghan side of the border in Torkham and Spin Boldak to support their resettlement.
This return of Afghan refugees from Pakistan marks another significant development in the ongoing Afghan refugee crisis. These refugees had initially fled their homeland due to ceaseless violence, misery, and crime in Afghanistan and are now facing expulsion from Pakistan.
Suhail Shaheen, who is a member of a media commission overseeing the repatriation of refugees to Afghanistan, expressed concern about the forcible expulsion of Afghan refugees from Pakistan and the unlawful confiscation of their properties.
The Taliban has established 12 committees to address the needs of the returning refugees. These committees are working on providing essential support, including medicines, tents, food, and drinking water. Furthermore, they are focused on resettlement and the construction of houses for the refugees, which requires substantial funding.
Shaheen emphasized the need for a cooperative approach, urging Pakistan to treat Afghanistan with brotherhood and equality. He views the eviction of undocumented refugees from Pakistan as “pressure tactics” against the Taliban.
It’s worth noting that Pakistan has hosted a significant number of Afghan refugees since the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. According to the UN human rights office, more than 2 million undocumented Afghans were living in Pakistan, including at least 600,000 who left Afghanistan after the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021. The situation remains complex, with both countries facing challenges in managing the return of refugees.
