Bayan News – Simultaneously with the intensified forced expulsion of Afghan migrants by the Pakistani government, former Afghan political figures have called on Islamabad to refrain from mistreating and harassing migrants.
Abdullah Abdullah, former head of the High Council for National Reconciliation of the previous Afghan government, said in a message on Sunday night (November 4) that considering the Islamic spirit, good neighborliness, and international commitments, the Pakistani government should reconsider the forced expulsion of Afghan migrants.
Mr. Abdullah stated in his message, “Mass expulsion puts them at risk of homelessness and lack of access to healthcare, which can lead to a major humanitarian crisis, especially with the onset of the cold season.”
According to Abdullah, the Pakistani government should continue hosting Afghan migrants until their voluntary return and refrain from any mistreatment or harassment, which is considered a violation of international laws.
The former head of the High Council for National Reconciliation also appealed to the international community to recognize the need for food and shelter for migrants and to increase international aid to them.
Meanwhile, Hanif Atmar, the former Foreign Minister of the previous government, described the forced expulsion of Afghans by the Pakistani government as a tragedy in a statement and emphasized the need to urgently find a solution to this challenge.
Mr. Atmar added, “We are well aware that there are profound and fundamental differences between our views and the Taliban, especially in the areas of the rights and freedoms of people, both men and women, the system of government, and peace and stability in the country, but we must prepare for a national discussion and cooperation to address this major national challenge.”
He stated that the Taliban’s rule and its political opponents should come together for national cooperation to utilize all national and international resources to protect the lives, property, and dignity of the country’s migrants.
However, the leadership of the caretaker government in Kabul has also called for Pakistan to refrain from the forced expulsion of Afghans.
Mullah Hasan Akhund, the head of the caretaker government in Kabul, requested Islamabad in a video message yesterday to resolve any issues it has with the Islamic Emirate through dialogue.
