Afghan Taliban leaders call refugee deportation ‘humanitarian disaster’

By Tahir Khan

ISLAMABAD: Senior Afghan Taliban leaders on Monday strongly condemned what they described as the “un-Islamic and inhumane treatment” of Afghan refugees, calling their forced deportation a violation of all principles.

The Taliban leadership met for the first time to review the situation arising from Pakistan’s decision to deport Afghan nationals who failed to leave the country by the March 31 deadline.

Pakistani authorities continued the deportation and repatriation process on Monday via the Torkham border crossing.

The Deputy Commissioner of Khyber district said a total of 5,429 Afghans were repatriated via Torkham on Monday. He added that since November 1, up to 16,701 Afghan nationals have returned.

Despite repeated requests from Afghan Taliban ministers and officials urging Pakistan to halt the deportations and opt for a phased repatriation, Islamabad has not accepted the plea.

Afghan Prime Minister Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund chaired a high-level meeting on what was described as the “mistreatment and forced deportation of Afghan refugees,” according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s office.

The meeting stated that the deportations were “against all Islamic teachings, international principles, and neighbourly relations.”

Also read: Afghan refugees struggle with uncertainty as Pakistan weighs deportation

It also called on the people of Pakistan—including political parties, religious scholars, and influential figures—to fulfill their Islamic and neighbourly duties.

“It is clear to everyone that the peoples of Afghanistan and Pakistan have had good relations for decades. We want these religious, historical, and cultural ties to remain intact, as they are essential for both countries. Such wrongful actions are harmful to both sides,” the statement said.

The Taliban also urged the United Nations and international organisations to step in to prevent what it called a “humanitarian disaster” and to ensure the dignified return of Afghan refugees.

A special commission was tasked with mobilising all available resources to provide repatriated Afghans with essential facilities, including temporary housing and services.

The meeting was attended by cabinet members, including Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs Maulvi Abdul Salam Hanafi, and Minister for Refugees and Repatriation Maulvi Abdul Kabir.

According to the state-run Bakhtar News Agency, the Taliban have set up camps with basic facilities at Torkham for returning Afghans.