Halt deporting Afghans, protesters ask Pakistan

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Pakistani women activists have renewed their call for an end to mass deportations of Afghan migrants from Pakistan.

Aurat March participants rallied outside the Lahore Press Club on Saturday for an immediate halt to the expulsion of Afghan refugees.

The protest leaders denounced the expulsion deadline as a dictatorial move, which was beyond the caretaker government’s constitutional mandate.

While questioning the legality of the decision, they claimed the drastic measure had deprived the refugees of their rights to liberty, due process and, in many cases, citizenship.

Last month, Aurat March chapters from across the country sent an open letter urging Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar to retract the decision.

The protesters voiced grave concern at the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s refusal to hear petitions against the forced deportations.

The demonstrators asked the government to immediately retract its decision and let those forcibly deported to return to Pakistan without any reprisals.

Tens of illegal migrants have been deported in line with a countrywide crackdown that began on November 1, following the expiry of a month-long deadline.

According to reports, Afghan refugees with legal documents are being arrested, their houses are demolished and many forcibly evicted from Pakistan.

More than 350,000 Afghan migrants have been deported from Pakistan so far, authorities say.

mud