Taliban Urges Pakistan and Iran for Organized Return of Afghan Refugees
The Taliban urged Pakistan and Iran to adopt a patient approach towards Afghan refugee returns, highlighting economic challenges in Afghanistan. Over 2.7 million Afghans have returned since the end of the U.S.-led war. Discussions emphasized structured repatriation processes and the humanitarian rights of returnees amidst ongoing deportations from both countries.
On Thursday, Afghanistan’s Taliban urged neighboring countries Pakistan and Iran to adopt a more patient and organized approach regarding the return of Afghan refugees. The Taliban highlighted Afghanistan’s current economic difficulties and stressed the need for a systematic process for repatriation. Since August 2021, over 2.7 million Afghans have returned home from these nations following the end of the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan.
Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, the acting minister of refugees and repatriation affairs for the Taliban, engaged in discussions with Ubaid Ur Rehman Nizamani, Pakistan’s charge d’affaires, and Iran’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Alireza Bekdali. Kabir expressed his desire that both countries would show forbearance toward returning refugees, as mentioned in a post by the Afghan ministry of refugees.
In the statement, the Taliban encouraged Afghan nationals to return while highlighting the importance of a structured return program rather than forced deportation due to the unsatisfactory conditions in Afghanistan. This initiative emphasizes a gradual approach to dealing with returnees.
As part of a security-focused campaign initiated in late 2023, Pakistan has seen over 825,000 Afghans fleeing the country, although only around 40,000 were deported. The Pakistani government has implemented a multi-phase plan targeting nearly 3 million Afghans, which encompasses both documented and undocumented individuals.
This plan details the repatriation of documented Afghans and addresses undocumented citizens while providing additional time for those awaiting relocation to other countries, with specific measures in place until March 31. In July, Pakistan extended the validity of Proof of Registration (POR) cards for Afghan refugees until June 2025.
Iran, facing its own economic issues, deported more than 1.8 million Afghans from 2022 to 2024, with plans to expel up to 2 million more by March 2025. Kabir called for a slowdown in the repatriation process until appropriate bilateral mechanisms are established.
Nizamani affirmed that refugees must not be utilized as political tools, indicating that Pakistan prioritizes resolving refugee issues through mutual understanding. Bekdali, on the other hand, advocated for providing necessary legal documentation to the Afghan migrants residing in Iran. The ongoing situation poses significant challenges to the rights of Afghan refugees, with calls to ensure that they are not coerced into returning to Afghanistan’s unstable environment.
In summary, the Taliban has called for patience from Pakistan and Iran regarding Afghan refugees’ returns, emphasizing the need for a structured and gradual approach. With Pakistan and Iran having already repatriated millions of Afghans, the situation remains precarious due to Afghanistan’s severe economic crisis. The plea for organized measures highlights a continued effort to protect the rights of Afghan returnees amidst challenging circumstances. It is crucial for these nations to cooperate in developing comprehensive solutions to manage the refugee situation responsibly and humanely.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
