As tensions between India and Pakistan escalate, the International Crisis Group (ICG) has suggested that Islamabad’s outreach to European capitals for diplomatic support could provide the European Union and its member states with critical leverage to advocate for a more humane approach toward Afghan refugees.

In a commentary published Thursday, the ICG explained that the Pakistani government, preoccupied with growing hostilities along its eastern border, appears to have paused its controversial deportation campaign targeting Afghan refugees. This development, though likely temporary, offers a potential reprieve for thousands of vulnerable Afghans who have sought refuge in Pakistan.

“Islamabad’s calls upon major European capitals for diplomatic assistance in its effort to persuade New Delhi to scale down hostilities also provide the EU and member states with some sway,” the ICG stated. It urged EU to use this opportunity to pressure Pakistan to comply with international humanitarian norms, particularly the principle of non-refoulement, which bars the forced return of individuals to places where they face persecution or violence.

EU and member states should urge Pakistan to extend the status of registered refugees with UN-issued Proof of Residence (PoR) cards beyond 30 June 2025, for at least another year, ICG said.

The think tank highlighted that progress on this front could be facilitated by the Islamic Emirate, particularly if they address Pakistan’s security concerns by relocating fighters from Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) away from the border.

While encouraging Pakistan to uphold its humanitarian obligations, the ICG also calls on the EU and its member states to fulfil their responsibilities by accelerating the relocation of Afghan refugees seeking resettlement in Europe. It further recommends that the EU enhance its gender-responsive aid programs for both refugees and host communities in Pakistan, as well as for returnees in Afghanistan.

“The need of the hour,” the ICG concluded, “is a more humane approach by both Islamabad and Brussels toward a refugee population that is desperately in need of international support.”

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Thursday that his country must move forward by forming blocs with Afghanistan, China, and Bangladesh.

In his address at the All Pakistan Chambers Presidents’ Conference, Dar mentioned that he had traveled to Kabul and met with officials of the Islamic Emirate following the tensions in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations in recent years.

The Pakistani official also noted that he met with Afghan officials for the second time during his recent visit to China.

During his recent visit to Beijing, Ishaq Dar attended a trilateral meeting between the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Afghanistan and China.

He told a news conference on Thursday that Pakistan, Afghanistan and China agreed at the meeting not to allow use of their territory against each other.

Afghanistan and China have jointly pledged that terrorist groups will not be allowed to operate in these countries, Dar said.

He, however, emphasized that the problem of terrorism is not something that can be ended with the push of a button, but that its solution requires time.

The Islamic Emirate has provided 200 million AFN in cash assistance to traders in Kandahar whose goods were destroyed in a fire last year.

The fire occurred in the auto parts market of Spin Boldak district, Kandahar, burning down 250 shops and causing losses estimated at 550 million AFN to the traders.

Nooruddin Turabi, acting head of the National Disaster Management Authority, stated that the total damages amount to approximately 550 million AFN.

Meanwhile, the affected traders have expressed satisfaction upon receiving the assistance, calling it an important step toward reviving their businesses.

Meanwhile, officials from the Kandahar Chamber of Commerce are urging the Islamic Emirate to implement a comprehensive development plan in the district to prevent future fires.

Sediq Mohmand, head of the Kandahar Chamber of Commerce, said: “Our request to the government is to implement a master plan in Spin Boldak district so that commercial, residential, and market areas can be clearly and properly organized.”

According to Kandahar firefighting officials, there were 126 fire incidents in the province last year. They reported that their efforts in controlling the fires prevented damages worth 2.31 billion AFN.