Taliban on Monday condemned Pakistan’s ongoing deportation of Afghan migrants, calling the campaign “inhuman” and contrary to Islamic principles, human rights, and international norms, according to a statement by Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s chief spokesperson.
The remarks followed a Taliban cabinet meeting in Kabul attended by senior Taliban officials, including Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban deputy chief minister for economic affairs; Abdul Salam Hanafi, the Taliban deputy chief minister for administrative affairs; and Abdul Kabir, the Taliban acting minister for refugees and repatriation.
According to Mujahid, the meeting characterized Pakistan’s mass expulsions of Afghan nationals as a violation of both religious and neighborly obligations, and urged Pakistani citizens, political leaders, religious scholars, and other influential figures to work toward ending the crackdown.
“The longstanding religious, historical, and cultural ties between the peoples of Afghanistan and Pakistan must be preserved,” the Taliban said in the statement, warning that continued deportations could damage bilateral relations and destabilize the region.
The Taliban also appealed to the United Nations and international organizations to intervene and “prevent a humanitarian disaster,” and to support the “dignified return” of Afghan refugees.
Pakistan’s government has intensified its campaign targeting Afghan migrants, detaining and expelling thousands of individuals, including holders of the Afghanistan Citizen Card (ACC). The second phase of Islamabad’s “Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan,” launched in early April, aims to remove more than 800,000 ACC holders from the country.
Amnesty International on Monday reiterated its call for Pakistan to immediately halt the deportations, warning that returnees face serious threats under Taliban rule, including persecution, torture, and enforced disappearances.
This comes as tens of thousands of Afghans migrated to Pakistan after the fall of the previous government. Many families have left the country due to Taliban’s ban on women and girls’ education.
