Imran Khan criticizes forced expulsion of Afghan refugees

KABUL (Pajhwok): Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan has criticized Islamabad’s decision on the expulsion of illegal Afghan refugees.

Khan wrote in his X handle: “1.5 million refugees are not much of a burden for a nation of 250 million people. There is a fear of a permanent rift in the long-standing relationship between the two countries, considering the way Afghan refugees are being expelled.”

“Pakistan has hosted Afghan refugees for 40 years but the fruits of this years-long hospitality are being wasted just because of a poor strategy, “wrote Khan.

He warned that the forced expulsion of the refugees may result in a permanent rift in relations between the neighboring countries, Ariana News reported.

Khan urged the government to reverse the policy and adopt a “respectful” strategy to repatriate Afghan refugees.

More than 400,000 Afghan refugees have returned from Pakistan since Islamabad announced plans to deport illegal migrants.

sa