Mistreatment of refugees: Pakistan rejects Afghan diplomat’s remarks

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday rejected remarks by the acting Afghan Cd’A on ‘mistreatment’ of Afghan refugees by Pakistan, which have been repatriated through the Pakistan’s Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFPR), reminding Kabul that Pakistan has been host to millions of Afghans through several decades.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan and the challenges that Pakistan was facing from its western neighbour were also raised at high level discussions both in New York and London.

Spokesperson at the Foreign Office, reacting to the Afghan diplomat, said, “His assertions regarding mistreatment of Afghan nationals are misplaced. I would like to remind him that Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghans for decades with respect and dignity, while extending traditional hospitality, sharing its resources and services such as education and health, even with very little international support.”

Pointing to aliens residing in Pakistan, he said that the IFRP started in 2023 and put in place appropriate mechanisms to ensure that no one is mistreated or harassed during the repatriation process. “In this connection, we also extensively engaged the Afghan side to ensure smooth repatriation of Afghan nationals,” he added.

In a strongly worded statement, the Afghan Embassy in Islamabad had earlier stated, “Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that there is a definitive and final plan to deport all Afghan refugees not only from Islamabad and Rawalpindi but also from the entire country in the near individuals Sources said the security agencies have prepared lists of all such individuals staying in the two cities. Information about their residences/locations has also been compiled.

The Afghan nationals, who have documents to go to another country, can stay here till March 31 this year. After this date, they will also have to leave Pakistan. The Afghans, who have a valid Pakistani visa for the period for which it has been issued, can continue to stay till that time. The government sources told The News Wednesday the decision to expel Afghan nationals has become inevitable because of the security situation and sensitivity of the twin cities.