QUETTA: The deportation of Afghan refugees who spent more than four decades in Pakistan back to their country should be stopped, leaders of Pakhtun nationalist parties demanded on Wednesday.

Speaking at a joint press conference, ANP Balochistan president Asghar Khan Achakzai, PkNAP’s Nasarullah Zerey, National Democratic Movement’s Ahmed Jan Khan and Noor Bacha of PTM said the Afghan refugees were protected under the Citizenship Act and have rights.

They said Pakhtun nationalist parties have always opposed terrorism.

They expressed their serious concern over the ongoing economic crisis and political situation.

ANP, NDM, PkNAP leaders express concern over ongoing economic, political situation

The political leaders protested the expulsion of Afghan refugees, many of whom were generation born and raised in Pakistan.

They highlighted that both the Federal Shariat Court and the Peshawar High Court have ruled in favor of Afghan refugees, urging the government to immediately halt its crackdown against them.

Leaders of the Pakhtun nationalist parties attended a meeting at Arbab House, the office of ANP in Quetta, and condemned the deteriorating law and order in the province.

They said blaming Afghan refugees for the country’s problems was fallacious and called for the withdrawal of “false cases” against Pakhtun leaders, including Ali Wazir, the release of all missing persons, and the removal of political figures from the Fourth Schedule.

A five-member committee has been formed to coordinate with political parties and devise a future course of action against the deportations.

They also opposed the merger of Levies into police and the integration of Balochistan Constabulary into the Frontier Corps, terming it a violation of the 18th Amendment. The leaders concluded that “oppressive policies” only fuel resistance and that true peace could only be achieved through justice and equal rights for all.

Published in Dawn, April 10th, 2025