In the midst of Pakistan’s ongoing deportation efforts targeting illegal immigrants, which primarily includes Afghan nationals, a purported audio clip has surfaced featuring a stern warning from the Acting Defense Minister of the Taliban government, Mullah Muhammad Yaqub Mujahid. In the audio message, Mujahid implores Pakistan to consider the consequences of their deportation actions before proceeding with what he characterizes as “unilateral actions.”
Mujahid called on Pakistani authorities not to mistreat Afghan nationals and accused them of confiscating the personal property and assets of Afghan citizens. He stressed that such actions would be met with strong opposition, with the Taliban vowing to prevent anyone from seizing the personal property of Afghan refugees.
Moreover, Mullah Mujahid called upon the international community, the United Nations, and other organizations to exert pressure on Pakistan to resolve the ongoing refugee situation. He criticized Pakistan for failing to ensure that Afghan refugees are repatriated to their homeland with the dignity they deserve, stating, “Even though it sends the refugees to their country, they [refugees] should be sent to the country with dignity and return to their homeland.” He expressed concern that the current situation was severely straining the relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Mujahid concluded by urging the Pakistani government to contemplate the consequences of its actions, emphasizing the need to sow seeds that can be reaped.
The backdrop to this tension is the recent flood of thousands of people attempting to cross Pakistan’s northwestern border into Afghanistan after the government’s deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave or face expulsion on November 1 expired. Pakistani authorities had initiated the roundup of undocumented foreigners, primarily Afghans, just before the deadline. The ultimatum issued by the Pakistan government a month earlier meant that over a million Afghans could face the prospect of leaving or risk arrest and forcible expulsion.
Attempting to address the sudden influx, the Taliban-run administration in Afghanistan announced the establishment of temporary transit camps and pledged to provide food and medical assistance. However, relief agencies reported dire conditions along the border, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
