Maulvi Yaqub: Pakistan’s plan to evict refugees can harm ties

KABUL (Pajhwok): Acting Defense Minister Mualvi Mohammad Yaqub Mujahid on Thursday deplored Pakistan’s decision to evict illegal Afghan refugees, calling it “barbaric” and warned the move could harm ties.

Addressing a passing-out ceremony at the Police Academy in Kabul, the minister asked the Pakistani people to urge their government to reverse the plan.

The interim government of Pakistan has given all undocumented Afghan refugees one month time to leave the country or face detention and deportation.

Yaqub Mujahid said Pakistan’s decision to evict one Afghan refugees was a heinous and horrifying act and was unjustifiable in any manner.

“This decision is unjust and unfair. We want the sincere nation, politicians and scholars of that country to stop the authorities from this horrific and barbaric decision.”

“I hope all those who call themselves human rights defenders and other countries to prevent Pakistan from this action we seriously demand its prevention.”

Mujahid urged wealthy Afghan businessmen in Pakistan to transfer their capital to Afghanistan and help develop their own country.

Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, deputy foreign minister for political affairs, also called Pakistan’s plan to evict one million Afghan refugees  unacceptable.

The UN and some other humanitarian organization have also expressed their concern about the eviction of undocumented refugees from Pakistan, asking Islamabad to reverse the plan.

IE spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement: “The behavior of Pakistan against Afghan refugees is unacceptable. Pakistan must reconsider its plan to evict undocumented Afghan refugees living in Pakistan. The Afghan refugees are not involved in insecurity issues in Pakistan. As long as Afghan refugees return to their country voluntarily, the government of Pakistan should tolerate them.”

The Afghan Embassy in Islamabad on October 3 said after Pakistani police arrested 1,000 documented and undocumented refugees during the last two weeks, the bodies of four Afghans were found in hospitals and other places.

aw/ma

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