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Efforts underway for release of Afghan refugees from Pakistani prisons: ministry
Following the reactions to the imprisonment of hundreds of Afghan refugees, including women and children, by the Pakistani government, the foreign ministry of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan says efforts are underway to release these immigrants from Pakistani prisons.
The deputy spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, Zia Ahmad Takal, emphasizes that so far, talks have been held with the officials of the Pakistani embassy in Kabul, Pakistan’s special representative for Afghanistan affairs and some other officials of this country about solving the problems of Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
“Regarding solving the problems of Afghan refugees in Pakistan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has spoken with the Pakistani ambassador in Kabul, the special representative of this country and the Afghan embassy in Islamabad.
On the other hand, Naseer Ahmad Faiq, the head of Afghanistan’s seat in the United Nations, condemned the imprisonment of Afghan refugees in Pakistan on Twitter and asked Islamabad to release the immigrants as soon as possible.
In addition, some international organizations supporting human rights and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees are concerned about the situation of imprisoned refugees and demanded their release from the Pakistani government.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations (MoRR) said that Pakistan is always persecuting Afghans living in that country, contrary to international migration laws.
The officials of this ministry still ask Islamabad not to connect political issues with the issues related to immigrants.
“The problems between Afghanistan and Pakistan should be resolved through negotiations. Our demand from Iran and Pakistan is not to politicize the issues of immigrants and their rights should be in accordance with international laws and Islam,” said Mohammad Arsala Kharoti, the deputy minister of MoRR.
Not having legal residence documents in Pakistan is considered one of the main reasons for the imprisonment of Afghan immigrants in that country.
Pakistan’s National Human Rights Commission said in a report that at least 139 Afghan women and 165 children are being held in Karachi’s women’s prison along with criminals.
At the same time as the end of 2022, the deadline of the Pakistani government for foreign nationals whose visa validity has expired has ended.
The Ministry of Interior of Pakistan had previously announced that foreign nationals whose visas have expired must leave this country by the end of this year.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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