Latest News
Kakar: Kabul advised us to ‘look inwards’ and we did so
Pakistan’s interim prime minister, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, has said that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) advised Pakistan to “look inwards” to address the security problem and Islamabad took notice of this and started deporting illegal refugees.
In an op-ed published in The Telegraph late Sunday, Kakar said that since August 2021, at least 16 Afghan nationals have carried out suicide attacks inside Pakistan, while 65 terrorists killed in encounters with security forces, mainly in the bordering region, were identified as Afghans.
“No responsible government can ignore such concerns. Whenever we raised this with the interim Afghan government, they advised us to ‘look inwards’. We have finally decided to heed to their advice to put our house in order,” Kakar said.
He said that over the last three to four decades, “between four and five million migrants (roughly the population of Ireland)” had arrived in Pakistan.
“Many have no right to remain. Despite being a non-signatory to 1951 Convention on Refugees (and its 1967 Protocol), we have generously accommodated the single largest caseload of refugees.
“Hospitality is in Pakistan’s DNA which is why we have, and will continue to fulfill our legal, moral and humanitarian obligations,” he said.
According to Kakar, despite frequent opportunities to repatriate voluntarily, and multiple government attempts to register those who remain undocumented, “a significant number has persistently refused to formalize their status, choosing instead to stay in the shadows.”
He further said that while Pakistan had benefited from “hard-working and law-abiding migrants”, the socio-economic and security cost of the influx had been “staggering.”
Kakar said that hundreds of thousands of Afghan nationals crossed the border after the abrupt withdrawal of the West from Afghanistan.
“Unfortunately, only 59,033 of the new arrivals have been resettled outside Pakistan, while 42,068 await evacuation to the west. The rest have failed to put forward a convincing case to anyone for asylum, and continue to stay in Pakistan illegally,” he said.
He said that Pakistan today stood at the crossroads of history.
“We can no longer continue to compromise our national security by accommodating such huge numbers of undocumented individuals. Our ultimate aim is to build a safer, more peaceful and prosperous Pakistan — with associated benefits for our own people, for the region, and the wider world,” Kakar concluded.
IEA has previously said that it is not responsible for the security of Pakistan and refugees are not involved in attacks in the country.
Latest News
Haqqani visits four Afghan provinces, meets local officials and residents
During his visit to Paktia, Haqqani met with tribal elders in Gardez-e-Sher district and attended a condolence gathering for a deceased family member.
Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani has visited Ghazni, Paktika, Paktia and Maidan Wardak provinces, meeting with local officials, religious scholars, tribal elders, security members and residents to discuss security, governance and community concerns.
According to a statement released by the ministry, Haqqani listened to residents’ concerns, reviewed the activities of local authorities and discussed administrative and security challenges during his visits.
In Ghazni, Haqqani attended a graduation ceremony at Noor-ul-Madaris Madrasa in Shilgar district, where more than 400 students received graduation certificates from various departments.
He also visited an elementary school in Behbud village of Gilan district, where he reviewed the learning environment and discussed plans for constructing a school building and providing assistance to students.
During another visit, he inspected the Shaheed Muslim Orphanage in Janda area and received information about the children’s education and welfare.
In Paktika, Haqqani met with local residents, tribal elders and security members in Khairkot district, emphasizing reconstruction and national development.
He said the period of war and bloodshed had ended and that Afghanistan should now focus on rebuilding and progress. He also described reconstruction as a shared responsibility between the government and the public.
At the Paktika provincial governor’s office, Haqqani met civilian and security officials to discuss the province’s overall situation, administrative affairs, security challenges and public service needs.
He also met separately with people with disabilities, listened to their concerns and assured them of cooperation and support.
During his visit to Paktia, Haqqani met with tribal elders in Gardez-e-Sher district and attended a condolence gathering for a deceased family member.
His final stop was Maidan Wardak province, where he visited the Tang-e Valley and attended another condolence gathering before returning to Kabul.
The four-province tour focused on engagement with local communities, reviewing provincial affairs and discussing reconstruction, governance and public concerns.
Latest News
Afghan and Iranian officials discuss expanding economic cooperation
Ahmad Jan Bilal, General Director of State-Owned Corporations, met on Tuesday with Iran’s Ambassador to Kabul, Ali Reza Bikdeli, to discuss expanding bilateral economic cooperation and following up on issues raised during his recent visit to Iran.
According to a statement from the General Directorate of State-Owned Companies, the meeting focused on reviewing ways to implement discussions held with Iranian officials during Bilal’s visit.
Bikdeli described the visit as positive and productive, stressing the importance of following up on the issues discussed and taking practical steps to advance bilateral cooperation.
He said Iran is ready to cooperate with Afghanistan in oil and gas exploration, extraction and exports, refinery construction, agriculture, water and electricity.
Bilal, for his part, said the Islamic Emirate is interested in expanding joint cooperation with Iran in energy, agriculture, industrial development and other economic sectors. He added that his office would work with the Iranian side to turn the proposed areas of cooperation into practical initiatives.
Bilal also reaffirmed his office’s commitment to following up on the issues discussed during his recent visit to Iran and working towards their implementation in coordination with Iranian officials.
Bilal recently visited Iran at the head of a delegation, holding talks with several Iranian officials on expanding economic, trade and investment ties, particularly in the state-owned companies sector.
Latest News
Ariana Airlines reduces Kabul–Islamabad–Kabul airfares by $20
Ariana Afghan Airlines announced on Tuesday a reduction in ticket prices for flights on the Kabul–Islamabad–Kabul route from $190 to $170.
According to the airline, passengers can now purchase tickets for this route at $20 less than the previous fare.
The airline has also set a special fare of $150 for students travelling on this route.
Ariana Afghan Airlines said the move aims to reduce travel costs and make air travel more affordable and accessible for passengers and students.
-
Regional5 days agoIran sent nuclear proposal to the US via Qatar, senior Iranian official tells Reuters
-
Sport3 days agoAfghanistan’s record partnership highlights fourth day of Test against Zimbabwe
-
World3 days agoHouthi-run health ministry says airstrikes kill 33 near Yemen capital
-
Sport5 days agoAbu Muslim Farah claim convincing 3-0 win over Omar Zawak in ACL
-
Sport4 days agoToofan Herat defeat Arman FC 2–0 in Afghanistan Champions League
-
Regional4 days agoPakistan’s leaders dread US Democrats’ win but its households are praying for it
-
Sport3 days agoAfghanistan thrash Senegal 6-0 to reach Dakar Youth Olympics futsal semi-finals
-
Sport2 days agoPortugal beat Afghanistan 2-0 in Dakar Youth Olympics futsal semi-finals
