IEA wants Pakistan to void expulsion of refugees

ATLANTA (Pajhwok): The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has asked Pakistan to exercise tolerance and avoid the expulsion of Afghan refugees in line Islamic brotherhood and humanitarian sympathy.

IEA spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said over the past 45 years, Afghans had been facing a lot of problems and migration to different countries due to invasions and wars -- a situation imposed on Afghans.

Besides facing many other problems, Afghans refugees had to deal with forcible deportations from Pakistan, he said.

The interim administration was grateful to the countries that had been hosting Afghan refugees over the past over four decades, the spokesman said in a statement.

Mujahid said: “We request the host countries not to force Afghans refugees and give them more time on grounds of good neighborliness, Islamic brotherhood and humanitarian sympathy.”

The Afghans had neither created security issues for the countries they were living nor were they involved in instability, the spokesman claimed.

With this in mind, Mujahid added, neighbouring countries should treat Afghan refugees well, considering the principle of Islamic brotherhood.

The countries, from where Afghans were forcibly expulsed, did not have the right to snatch their properties, money and other items, he insisted.

“The Afghan migrants facing forced deportation … must coordinate with the commission created to help returnees on transportation, accommodation, health and other forms of assistance.” Mujahid added.

After its takeover, IEA has ensured comprehensive security, united leadership and an atmosphere of brotherhood among all Afghans. The IEA leadership has ordered all officials to pay attention to the issue of returning migrants and serve them within available resources.

Mujahid said the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) and other relevant ministries must provide necessary facilities for the returning businessmen, investors and industrialists as well.

The government has also urged the Afghans, who are living abroad due to political concerns, to return home and reside comfortably in their home country.

Pakistan has announced the Nov 1 deadline for the deportation of more than one million undocumented Afghan refugees. Those who do not have legal residency documents of stay will be arrested and forcibly repatriated.

aw/mud