Hanif: Deportations from Pakistan against all norms

KABUL (Pajhwok): Acting Minister of Economy Qari Din Mohammad Hanif has denounced Pakistan’s forced deportations of Afghan refugees as contrary to Islamic brotherhood and a brazen violation of all international migration laws and norms.

He urged international organisations and the Afghan people to provide urgent and generous assistance to the Afghans returning from the neighbouring country.

Hanif made the remarks at a meeting of the Committee for Attracting and Coordinating Aid for Afghan Refugees and Returnees at the Ministry of Economy here on Sunday.

He said: “As you are aware, in recent days, our neighbouring country has once again initiated forced expulsions of Afghans, an action that runs counter to Islamic brotherhood, good neighbourliness and all international migration principles.”

He noted the caretaker government had made preparations, within its capacity, to receive the returnees.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has set up a high-level commission under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs Maulvi Abdul Salam Hanafi.

He said the commission consisted of 12 working committees tasked with providing services to returnees.

These committees include those responsible for attracting and coordinating aid, registering returnees, arranging temporary shelters and transport, facilitating jobs and managing service delivery.

According to Hanif, the Committee for Attracting and Coordinating Aid — led by the Ministry of Economy — includes representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation, Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, the Natural Disaster Management Authority, the Afghan Red Crescent Society, and the General Directorate of Intelligence.

He added the forced deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan had resumed, with thousands of individuals returning to the country daily in large numbers.

He appealed for active support and contributions from citizens, chambers of commerce and industry, unions, charitable organisations and UN agencies — urging them to coordinate their assistance through the Committee to ensure transparency.

The minister assured that all necessary facilities had been provided to humanitarian organisations and the authorities were fully prepared to cooperate.

Hanif added on Saturday alone, 1,108 families — 6,543 individuals — had been deported by Pakistan through the Torkham and Spin Boldak crossings.

Also present at the meeting was UNHCR representative in Afghanistan Arafat Jamal, urged Iran and Pakistan not to expel Afghan refugees.

He added the UN High Commissioner for Refugees was in contact with the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation on the issue.

Indrika Ratwatte, deputy head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), said according to their data, three million Afghans were currently residing in Pakistan.

He stressed the return of Afghan refugees in a safe and dignified manner, highlighting the importance of coordination and solidarity. Representatives of several UN agencies also attended the meeting.

Since the beginning of the second phase of forced deportations, hundreds of Afghan families have been returning home daily via the Torkham and Spin Boldak crossings.

kk/mud