Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – The Afghan interim government, led by the Taliban, on Tuesday urged the United Nations and international humanitarian organisations to ensure the “dignified return” of Afghan refugees being deported from Pakistan, as Islamabad enters the second phase of its repatriation campaign.
In a press release issued from the Presidential Palace (Arg) in Kabul, the Afghan authorities condemned Pakistan’s recent actions against Afghan nationals, particularly those holding Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC). The identity documents were issued jointly by the Pakistani and Afghan governments in 2017 as part of a temporary legalisation effort.
This latest phase of deportations, which began on March 31, follows an earlier crackdown in late 2023 that targeted undocumented Afghan migrants. The current drive is aimed at repatriating those with ACCs, a move Afghan officials say violates basic human rights.
The press release said the matter was discussed in a high-level meeting chaired by Acting Prime Minister Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund. Senior cabinet members expressed deep concern over the treatment of Afghan refugees, describing it as “contrary to accepted principles and fundamental human rights.”
The Taliban-led administration called upon the Pakistani public, political parties, and influential figures to uphold “neighborly responsibilities” and to avoid actions that could harm bilateral relations.
“The participants highlighted the long-standing positive relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, stressing the importance of maintaining these ties for the benefit of both nations and their peoples,” the statement read. It also warned that “inappropriate actions could undermine this relationship.”
Separately, the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation Affairs in Kabul condemned the “forced deportations,” calling on international agencies to intervene.
According to official figures, 1,636 Afghan nationals were deported from Punjab and Sindh on Sunday alone. In Punjab, 5,111 others, including 2,301 children and 1,120 women, were moved to holding centres pending repatriation. Most were ACC holders whose identities had been verified by Pakistan’s NADRA, FIA, and police.
Meanwhile, tensions between the two neighbours continue to escalate. Pakistan’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq Khan, warned on Monday that “all deals with Afghanistan are off” if the Taliban regime fails to take concrete steps against terror outfits operating from Afghan soil.
“TTP is a big challenge for us. Our youth are being killed daily. It would be criminal to ignore that,” Khan said. “Afghanistan will have to work with us. If they are not, then there can be no further progress on anything.”
Islamabad has repeatedly accused the Afghan Taliban of harbouring leaders of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a claim Kabul denies.
As deportations continue and diplomatic rhetoric intensifies, the fate of thousands of Afghan refugees remains uncertain, prompting fresh calls for humanitarian engagement and regional cooperation.
