Pakistan's recent declaration of a one-month deadline for the departure of Afghan nationals characterized as "illegal immigrants" has faced sharp criticism from the Taliban administration in Kabul. The Taliban labeled Pakistan's move as "unacceptable" and emphasized that Afghan citizens should not be held responsible for Pakistan's security challenges.
According to estimates, approximately 1.73 million Afghan immigrants reside in Pakistan without legal status. Pakistan's caretaker government issued a November 1 deadline for them to leave the country voluntarily or risk forcible expulsion.
In response, Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Taliban administration in Kabul, voiced strong disapproval of Pakistan's treatment of Afghan refugees in a post on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter). He stated, "The behavior of Pakistan towards Afghan refugees is unacceptable."
To support the crackdown, Pakistan's Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti alleged that Afghan nationals had been responsible for 14 out of 24 suicide bombings in Pakistan during the current year. The Taliban spokesperson rejected this claim, asserting, "The Pakistani side should reconsider its plan. Afghan refugees are not involved in Pakistan's security problems. As long as they leave Pakistan voluntarily, that country should tolerate them."
Pakistan's ultimatum targeted Afghan immigrants who have resided in the country for many years. It came in the aftermath of a meeting among civil and military leaders to assess the law and order situation following two suicide bombings on Friday, which claimed the lives of at least 57 people. Bugti identified one of the suicide bombers as an Afghan national and accused India's intelligence agency of being involved in the attacks.
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