Pak northwest border chock-a-block as scores of Afghans flee govt crackdown

Pakistan’s northwestern border crossing into Afghanistan Thursday was flooded with droves of Afghans attempted to cross over, a day after Islamabad’s deadline for expelling undocumented foreigners expired.

Close to 1.7 million Afghans are facing uncertain future since they have to either leave or face arrest and forcible expulsion. The Pakistan government had issued an ultimatum a month back.

On the other hand, the Taliban-run administration in Afghanistan said temporary transit camps had been set up to supply food and medical assistance, but relief agencies reported an impending humanitarian crisis.

The Pakistan government has taken the plea that Afghans had been involved in militant attacks, crimes and were threatening Pakistan’s internal security. Pakistan has snubbed United Nations, rights groups and calls from Western countries to reconsider its expulsion move.

According to a Reuters report, over 24,000 Afghans crossed into Afghanistan using the Torkham border crossing—at the northwestern end of the Khyber Pass on the road between Peshawar in Pakistan and Jalalabad in Afghanistan—on Wednesday alone.

Also, Pakistan has barred media access to the Torkham since Tuesday.

Authorities had worked well into the night at a camp set up near the crossing, he added.

An estimated 128,000 Afghans have left for through the border crossing since the Pakistan government issued its directive.

More were crossing through border at Chaman, in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan.

What was Pakistan’s leave order?

On October 3, Pakistan’s Interior Ministry had announced that all migrants living without legal status in Pakistan had 28 days to leave voluntarily or face deportation. “All foreign nationals living illegally in the country have been given until 1 November to leave voluntarily or face deportation,” said caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti.

He said the measures were being taken against the backdrop of a surge in terror attacks on Pakistan soil.

While the government emphasised that the move was being taken against all illegal migrants, many have seen the step to be targeting those who have moved from Afghanistan.

Taliban condemn “inhumane” decision

They further have warned that if the Pakistani government does not address this issue, they will be forced to take action against it.

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Taliban administration, Shir Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, in a statement regarding Pakistan, has issued a warning and emphasized that the Pakistani government must halt the expulsion of immigrants, reported Khaama Press.