KARACHI: The Afghan interim government under the Taliban on Tuesday called upon the United Nations and international organisations to ensure the “dignified return” of Afghan refugees from Pakistan, Dawn.com reported.

According to a press release issued by the Afghan Presidential Palace in Kabul, a special meeting chaired by acting prime minister Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund called upon the United Nations and international organisations to ensure the dignified return of Afghan refugees.

The session, attended by cabinet members, emphasised a strong condemnation of these actions as against fundamental human rights, the statement added.

“Officials described the treatment of Afghan refugees as contrary to accepted principles,” the statement said, adding that the meeting called for the people, political parties, and influential figures in Pakistan to uphold their neighborly responsibilities in this matter.

Dawn.com reached out to the Foreign Office in Islamabad, for a comment but did not receive a response.

“The participants highlighted the long-standing positive relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, stressing the importance of maintaining these ties for the benefit of both nations and their peoples,” it added.

The meeting’s participants “warned that inappropriate actions could undermine this relationship,” according to the press release.

“The commitment to fostering cooperation and compassion was a central theme, reflecting the shared history and cultural connections between the two countries,” the statement said.

Forced deportation

The Afghan Taliban’s Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation Affairs issued a separate statement “condemning the forced deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan.”

“The mistreatment of them (Afghans) by neighbouring countries is unacceptable and intolerable,” the ministry said on X, calling for a joint agreement to facilitate repatriations.

As part of the ongoing deportation process, 1,636 Afghan nationals were deported from Punjab and Sindh on Sunday. The largest transfer took place in Punjab, where 5,111 other Afghan nationals were transported to the transit camps or holding centres across the province for repatriation, including 2,301 children and 1,120 women.

A majority of them carried Afghan Citizen Cards that Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) had issued to them after getting each case verified from the FIA, police and other agencies.

With additional input from AFP

Published in Dawn, April 9th, 2025