Hamid Karzai, the former president, on Friday criticized the Pakistani government’s treatment of Afghan immigrants, labeling it as inappropriate and contrary to the principles of good neighborliness.
In a statement posted on social media, Karzai emphasized that such actions run counter to the brotherhood and hospitality that the Pakistani people have extended to Afghan immigrants for more than four decades.
He went on to assert that Pakistan’s ongoing issues are unrelated to Afghanistan and Afghan immigrants, pointing out that the presence of Afghan immigrants has brought significant economic and social benefits to Pakistan.
Karzai expressed hope that Pakistan would reconsider its decision regarding Afghan immigrants.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s special envoy to Afghanistan, Asif Ali Durrani, addressed a conference in Islamabad on Thursday, where he voiced deep concerns about the activities of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Durrani called for the repatriation or neutralization of the group.
The conference, titled “International Conference, Navigating Peace and Security in the Region and Beyond: Pakistan’s Role,” was organized by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad.
Durrani underscored the increase in TTP attacks along Pakistan’s borders and noted that TTP members were finding refuge on Afghan soil. He acknowledged the complexities surrounding the situation but refrained from blaming the government in Afghanistan, expressing Pakistan’s expectation that the peace achieved within Afghanistan’s own territory would contribute to stability in the border regions. Durrani further suggested that TTP individuals seeking refuge in Afghanistan should either be returned to Pakistan or rendered ineffective.
In a significant development, Pakistan has issued a one-month deadline for at least 1.73 million Afghan migrants to depart the country, with the threat of deportation for non-compliance.
The Taliban’s ministry of refugees reported on Thursday that over the past 20 days, at least 23,000 Afghans had been deported by Pakistan through the Torkham and Spin Boldak border crossings.
