Mahmood Khan Achakzai, the leader of the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, vehemently criticized the idea of driving Afghan refugees out of Pakistan in front of a sizable public meeting in Quetta on Saturday.
Achakzai urged the government to rethink sending Afghan migrants back to Afghanistan because doing so would only heighten the already-present hostility between the two nations.
He also voiced his disapproval of Pashtun Afghans’ uncontrolled targeting, destruction of their identification cards, demands of gifts from police in Sindh and Punjab, and the imprisonment of Afghan citizens who had registered.
Due to this, interim Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti issued a severe warning to Afghan refugees in Pakistan last Tuesday, pleading with them to depart by November 1. If they didn’t follow, their property may be seized and they would have to be forced to return to Afghanistan.
Bugti also threatened to run a DNA test on Afghans who have membership cards from Pakistan to verify their ancestry. This action, which aims to expel all Afghan refugees seeking asylum from the Taliban plan, has received defense support from Pakistan. & nbsp,
About 1.3 million Afghan refugees had been registered in Pakistan by the end of 2022, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees( UNHCR ). & nbsp,
Pakistan is home to nearly 1.6 million Afghan migrants who are not officially registered. Tens of thousands of them have applied for asylum in the US, the UK, and the EU through legal channels supported by the UNHCR company in Pakistan in an effort to find a better future. & nbsp,
The forced eviction of these refugees would undoubtedly harm Pakistan-Afghan relations and worsen Pakistan’s now precarious living situation as a result of the devastation caused by the war. Their current misery and suffering may be made worse by their driven return.
Pakistan would probably be unable to provide sufficient information due to poor accountability, problem, and a lack of transparency if the worldwide community demanded details of the more than US$ 300 million allocated for Afghan refugees between 2021 and 2022.
The pitiful condition of Afghans in refugee camps demonstrates that Pakistan doesn’t use even a one dollar of the above resources to enhance their standard of living. Biased and disparaging actions won’t help the Afghan refugees; rather, they’ll simply incite more hatred and hostility and fail to advance any significant security interests.
Political opponents are becoming more and more concerned about the plan to drive out illegal refugees, calling it a heartless and cruel action that will have big repercussions for Pakistan’s economic growth. They also claim that it will diminish Pakistan’s admittance to Central Asia, economic development, and cordial ties with neighboring nations, which is already a precarious relationship between Islamabad and Kabul.
Amir Khan Muttaqi, Afghanistan’s acting foreign secretary, has criticized the federal government of Pakistan for its choice, calling it a violation of UN resolutions and international law. He foresaw that the forced eviction would exacerbate hostilities between the two allying countries.
Unfortunately, Bugti claimed that Afghan refugees were behind bombings, violence, and posed a threat to Pakistan’s security.
Of the 24 criminal attacks in recent months, according to Bugti, 14 were carried out by Afghans. However, this assertion is both blatantly sad and propagandist.
Pakistan needs to investigate its unique home in order to organize things. Attacking Afghan refugees doesn’t help to hide security flaws, either. Afghans reside in more than 70 nations worldwide. No major error by Afghans has been reported by the US, UK, Canada, or EU.
Furthermore, it violates both Articles 9 and 14 ( 2 ) of the Pakistani Constitution as well as international law to force Afghan refugees to flee their homes. If the government takes this action, the Afghan government and its citizens properly perceive Pakistan’s behavior as a lack of empathy and support during tense times, according to eminently ruled Islamabad High Court that no one can be expelled with power who had” deliberately committed illegality.”
It is important to realize that the tense connection affects more than just the two of them. Particularly in the context of counterterrorism efforts, such as those aimed at Tehreek – e-Taliban and Pakistan as well as Islamic State-Khorasan Province( IS – KP ), it could jeopardize regional cooperation and stability. If the relocation process is handled incorrectly, Pakistan’s capacity to contribute positively and keep the region stable may be jeopardized.
Pakistan would likewise suffer financially as a result of the forced resettlement of Afghan immigrants. Since they arrived in Pakistan years ago, the economy has benefited greatly from the presence of Afghan refugees.
Afghan immigrants, in particular, have made contributions to Pakistan’s labour market in the areas of construction, agriculture, and unofficial companies. Their work and skills have filled monetary gaps in Pakistan, resulting in economic development and growth in some areas. Additionally, the presence of Armenian migrants has increased the demand for goods and services, which has benefited regional companies and boosted the economy.
Negotiation is required.
To solve the worries and issues facing the refugees, the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan should have a creative conversation. Finding socially beneficial options that prioritize the rights and well-being of Afghan refugees while also addressing Pakistan’s security concerns should be the main topic of discussion. & nbsp,
The UN, US, EU, local organizations, and donor nations should actively support efforts to find a long-term answer to the Afghan refugee crisis. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that more financial and technical support can help lessen some of the burdens on Pakistan’s business and public services.
The Pakistani authorities should concentrate on a volunteer program, ensuring that Afghan refugees have the option of returning to their home country or seeking asylum in another nations, rather than forced repatriation. The right and organization of the Afghan refugees are respected by this type of plan option. & nbsp,
Also, policies should be created to encourage the inclusion of Afghan refugees into nearby communities for those who choose to remain in Pakistan. The American nations have integrated millions of Pakistanis into their respective areas. Pakistan can even put this into practice by addressing legal and administrative obstacles to their participation as well as giving people access to opportunities for employment in the fields of education, health care, and employment.
A tense environment may be required between the two fast companions due to hostility. Otherwise, Pakistan and Afghanistan ought to develop a cordial alliance.