https://sputniknews.in/20231031/mass-exodus-on-pakistans-western-border-as-afghans-exit-in-fear-of-imprisonment-5157796.html
Mass Exodus on Pakistan’s Western Border as Afghans Exit in Fear of Imprisonment
Mass Exodus on Pakistan’s Western Border as Afghans Exit in Fear of Imprisonment
Sputnik India
Thousands of Afghan refugees are leaving Pakistan after Islamabad suddenly demanded that illegal refugees exit the country. Sputnik explores the economic and... 31.10.2023, Sputnik India
2023-10-31T21:50+0530
2023-10-31T21:50+0530
2023-11-01T10:54+0530
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pakistan
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Trucks filled with the belongings of Afghan refugees departing from Pakistan were spotted near the Torkham border, close to the city of Taxila. In the last few days, tens of thousands of Afghans have crossed the border as the approaching deadline of November 1 looms.Young children donning colourful clothes sit patiently beside their mothers, eagerly anticipating their moment to board the truck bound for Afghanistan. Many of them were born in Pakistan and even their mothers have never set foot in the country of their origin, yet now they are forced to return to their homeland and to an uncertain future.Many human rights organisations operating in Pakistan have reported that the Pakistani government has been using threats and detention to force Afghan refugees without legal status to return to Afghanistan or face deportation by November 1.Pakistan’s Interior Ministry announced on October 3 that all migrants living without legal status in Pakistan had 28 days to leave voluntarily or face deportation.Fear for the FutureSputnik spoke to a former high-ranking government official based in Islamabad regarding this unprecedented exodus.He further shared that many Afghan families are being deported in containers used to transport livestock.On Sunday, an Afghanistan-bound container overturned on G.T. Road near Hattian when the driver lost control of the truck, loaded with the container, and hit a bridge. The accident killed two people and 14 others sustained serious injuries, according to ARY news.According to the report, the container was carrying several Afghan families, including children. The injured have been sent to a hospital.However, the total number of Afghan asylum seekers in Pakistan is around 3 million. Reportedly 1.3 million are officially registered hence they should not be facing deportation, as the government only wants the illegal asylum seekers to exit before 1 November.Rift Between the Two StatesAfter the US and NATO withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021, there was a notable influx of refugees entering Pakistan, particularly from Afghanistan. This surge can be attributed to the establishment of Taliban* rule in Afghanistan, as many individuals felt compelled to flee due to the imminent threat to their lives.The policy has been condemned by Pakistani Nobel Prize winner Malala Yousafzai. "Afghan refugees, children, women, men, elderly fleeing Taliban persecution deserve support, dignity, and safety, not further obstacles and harassment," she said on social media."I echo UN experts' call and urge the Pakistani government to reconsider its rushed policy of mass deportation."According to Hina Jilani, chair of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, the decision taken by Pakistan's interim government to expel Afghan refugees is "unlawful, unreasonable and irrational."She said that the government has no mandate to set a policy on asylum seekers. Others are saying that the decision may cause a rift between Pakistan and Afghanistan.Earlier, Pakistani officials stated that mounting terrorist attacks was one of the reasons behind the government's decision to expel the Afghans.Legal and Economic ImplicationsThe decision by Pakistan's interim government has elicited mixed reactions from civil societies, activists, journalists, politicians and civilians.A businessman and PTI supporter, Mahmood Ali from Lahore, told Sputnik India that the PTI government under Imran Khan offered citizenship to Afghan nationals because Khan realized that if these Afghans go back, it will cause a revenue drain on Pakistan's economy.Meanwhile, human rights organisations such as the United Nations and Human Rights Watch have urged Pakistan to continue providing protection to those in need and ensure that any future returns are safe, dignified and fully consistent with international law.Pakistan's Foreign Office in turn clarified on Monday that the decision to deport illegal foreigners residing in Pakistan was in line with sovereign domestic laws and international principles.* The Taliban is under UN sanctions for extremism.
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Mass Exodus on Pakistan’s Western Border as Afghans Exit in Fear of Imprisonment
21:50 31.10.2023 (Updated: 10:54 01.11.2023) Thousands of Afghan refugees are leaving Pakistan after Islamabad suddenly demanded that illegal refugees exit the country. Sputnik explores the economic and moral implications of this situation.
Trucks filled with the belongings of Afghan refugees departing from Pakistan were spotted near the Torkham border, close to the city of Taxila. In the last few days, tens of thousands of Afghans have crossed the border as the approaching deadline of November 1 looms.
Young children donning colourful clothes sit patiently beside their mothers, eagerly anticipating their moment to board the truck bound for Afghanistan. Many of them were born in Pakistan and even their mothers have never set foot in the country of their origin, yet now they are forced to return to their homeland and to an uncertain future.
Many human rights organisations operating in Pakistan have reported that the Pakistani
government has been using
threats and detention to force Afghan
refugees without legal status to return to Afghanistan or face deportation by November 1.
Pakistan’s Interior Ministry announced on October 3 that all
migrants living without legal status in Pakistan had 28 days to leave voluntarily or face deportation.
Sputnik spoke to a former high-ranking government official based in Islamabad regarding this unprecedented exodus.
"The situation in Afghanistan remains dangerous for many who fled, and deportation will expose them to significant security risks, including threats to their lives. The government's decision is leaving thousands of innocent people in fear over their future," the official told Sputnik India, on the condition of anonymity.
He further shared that many Afghan families are being deported in containers used to transport livestock.
On Sunday, an Afghanistan-bound container overturned on G.T. Road near Hattian when the driver lost control of the truck, loaded with the container, and hit a bridge. The accident killed two people and 14 others sustained serious injuries, according to ARY news.
According to the report, the container was carrying several Afghan families, including children. The injured have been sent to a hospital.
"Some 100,000 Afghans have left Pakistan through the Torkham and Chaman borders. Many fled early after the announcement because they were afraid of detention and imprisonment. But there are 1.7 million Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan without official permit, which means they are going to be targeted by the police and authorities for deportation," the official explained.
However, the total number of Afghan asylum seekers in Pakistan is around 3 million. Reportedly 1.3 million are officially registered hence they should not be facing deportation, as the
government only wants the illegal asylum seekers to exit before 1 November.
Rift Between the Two States
After the US and NATO withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021, there was a notable influx of refugees entering Pakistan, particularly from Afghanistan. This surge can be attributed to the establishment of Taliban* rule in Afghanistan, as many individuals felt compelled to flee due to the imminent threat to their lives.
The policy has been condemned by Pakistani Nobel Prize winner Malala Yousafzai. "Afghan refugees, children, women, men, elderly fleeing Taliban persecution deserve support, dignity, and safety, not further obstacles and harassment," she said on social media.
"I echo UN experts' call and urge the Pakistani government to reconsider its rushed policy of mass deportation."
According to Hina Jilani, chair of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, the decision taken by Pakistan's interim government to expel Afghan refugees is "unlawful, unreasonable and irrational."
She said that the government has no mandate to set a policy on asylum seekers. Others are saying that the decision may cause a rift between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Recently, the Taliban government spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said that the decision of repatriation of Afghans is "unacceptable" adding that the refugees are "not involved" in the security issues faced by Pakistan.
Earlier, Pakistani officials stated that mounting terrorist attacks was one of the reasons behind the government's decision to expel the Afghans.
In a comment to Sputnik India the government official said, "It sounds like racial profiling to me and to be honest how can they track the attacks directly to Afghan refugees? Should we just take their word for it? Also, the focus should be on holding the general elections as soon as possible and not this."
Legal and Economic Implications
The decision by Pakistan's interim government has elicited mixed reactions from civil societies, activists, journalists, politicians and civilians.
A businessman and PTI supporter,
Mahmood Ali from Lahore, told
Sputnik India that the PTI government under
Imran Khan offered citizenship to Afghan nationals because Khan realized that if these Afghans go back, it will cause a revenue drain on Pakistan's economy.
"Most of the Afghans started out with small jobs and labor work but because they are so hardworking and resilient they are now well-established in Pakistan. Many Pakistani cities located near the border with Afghanistan did not have much economic stability, even Quetta, which is the capital of Balochistan saw economic growth after Afghans moved there because these refugees had lands, agriculture, livestock back at home which they sold when they moved to Pakistan and invested that money to make a living here. Hence, their exit will have economic repercussions for sure," Ali explained.
Meanwhile, human rights organisations such as the United Nations and Human Rights Watch have urged Pakistan to continue providing protection to those in need and ensure that any future returns are safe, dignified and fully consistent with international law.
Pakistan's Foreign Office in turn clarified on Monday that the decision to deport illegal foreigners residing in Pakistan was in line with sovereign domestic laws and international principles.
* The Taliban is under UN sanctions for extremism.
