Pakistan deports more than 200 Afghan nationals

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Pakistan on has deported more than 200 Afghan citizens, including women and children, officials say.

The Afghan nationals fled to Quetta, capital of southwestern Balochistan province, via Chaman after the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan.

Initially, the Afghans stayed at a railway station in Chaman for a few days, but local officials denied them further stay in the town.

Hailing from northern Kunduz province, the Afghans found their way to Quetta two days ago.

However, they were not allowed to stay in the provincial capital and taken into custody before being sent back to their country via Chaman on Tuesday.

Sohailur Rehman Baloch, Quetta division commissioner, told reporters: “These Afghan families were deported because they entered Pakistan illegally.”

Muhammad Essa, one of the Afghan nationals, said: “We came to Pakistan due to the worsening situation in Kunduz.”

He urged the Pakistan government to allow them to stay in their camps and give them permission to work to eke out a living.

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