The acting minister of Defense of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has condemned Pakistan’s recent decision to expel 1.7 million illegal refugees from the country and urged Afghans, including businessmen, to return home and invest in the country.

Thousands of Afghans living in Pakistan run viable businesses, some of whom have done so for decades.

Speaking at a Police Academy graduation in Kabul Mohammad Yaqub Mujahid retorted sharply to Pakistan’s news.

He said the decision was “barbaric and cruel.”

He also asked the people of Pakistan to stop their government from oppressing Afghans.

Mohammad Yaqub Mujahid asked all Afghan businessmen and immigrants in Pakistan to transfer their money to Afghanistan as soon as possible and invest in the country.

His remarks come after Pakistan on Tuesday gave 1.7 million undocumented Afghan refugees one month to leave the country.

The acting Minister of Defense also said that IEA assures the nation that “we will protect our nation in every sector.”

Mohammad Yaqub Mujahid added that security forces will protect every part of this country and that security has been restored.

He also said the recent decision will damage relations between Kabul and Islamabad.

The political deputy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has meanwhile also asked the Pakistani authorities to treat Afghan migrants fairly and avoid taking unilateral actions as it will worsen relations between the two countries.

“Five million immigrants living in Pakistan have sacrificed for the defense of Pakistan. If the jihad of the Afghan people had not happened, the former Soviet Union would have advanced to Karachi and Gwadar port of Pakistan. They owe it to the Afghans,” said Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanakzai, political deputy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The United Nations also called on Pakistan not to forcibly expel Afghan immigrants from the country.

“Of course, this is a matter of concern. I am sure that our colleagues at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees are aware of this situation, as a principle, it is important that no migrants should be forced out and returned to their country,” said Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN Secretary General.

At the same time, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has said that the decision of the Pakistani government to deport Afghan immigrants is against international human rights laws and should be canceled immediately.

The commission stated: “It is unacceptable to hold other immigrants responsible for the mistakes of certain individuals, the government’s decision to deport more than one million illegal immigrants within thirty days, with the reason that they are related to terrorist and criminal groups. It not only shows a lack of compassion, but also a short-sighted and limited view of national security; the majority of these people are vulnerable and stateless refugees who have been living in Pakistan for generations.”