United Nations / Taliban FM Criticises Afghan Expulsions in Subtle Reference to Pakistan
·7 months ago·2 min read
Key Points
- Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi criticised the forced expulsion of Afghan refugees by unnamed countries, calling the actions inhumane and contrary to international norms.
- UN data shows Pakistan and Iran host the largest Afghan refugee populations, with Pakistan recording a sharp rise in detentions in 2025.
- Humanitarian groups warn that mass expulsions could worsen instability as returnees face lack of shelter, jobs and essential services.
Kabul, Nov 18: Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi took an indirect swipe at Pakistan Tuesday, accusing “some countries” of treating Afghan refugees “inhumanely” and violating international norms by forcibly expelling them.
Speaking at the Fifth Coordination Meeting between Afghanistan and -agencies in Kabul, the acting foreign minister criticised the deportation of Afghan refugees amid deteriorating relations between Kabul and Islamabad.
“In this harsh winter, they are being forcibly evicted from their homes and then denied entry at crossing points. Is this not a blatant violation of international refugee principles?” he said, calling the treatment of women, children and the elderly “a grave injustice.”
The UN identifies Iran and Pakistan as the largest hosts of Afghan refugees. Iran has hosted an estimated 3.5 million Afghans, while Pakistan has housed 1.6 million. By September 2025, about 126,800 Afghans had returned from Pakistan over the past year.
Last week, the UN refugee agency reported that Pakistan detained a record number of Afghans in 2025, with arrests highest in Balochistan and Punjab. UNHCR said Pakistani authorities detained 100,971 Afghans between January and mid-November which is a drastic rise from about 9,000 in 2024. Most of those held were undocumented migrants or Afghan Citizen Card holders.
The rise in detentions follows two Pakistani government orders this year directing the removal of Afghan migrants from Islamabad and Rawalpindi and authorising police to arrest Proof-of-Registration card holders.
Humanitarian groups have urged Pakistan to ensure returns are voluntary, warning that mass expulsions deepen instability along the border, where returnees often lack housing, jobs and basic services.
Afghan refugees in Pakistan have reported increased fear and uncertainty. Some said police warned locals through mosque announcements not to rent homes or shops to Afghans. Others described shelters being demolished and families being held in detention centres for more than two weeks.
“Winter has already started… If demolitions continue, refugees will be left without shelter and nowhere to go,” one refugee told TOLO News.
(IANS)
Speaking at the Fifth Coordination Meeting between Afghanistan and -agencies in Kabul, the acting foreign minister criticised the deportation of Afghan refugees amid deteriorating relations between Kabul and Islamabad.
“In this harsh winter, they are being forcibly evicted from their homes and then denied entry at crossing points. Is this not a blatant violation of international refugee principles?” he said, calling the treatment of women, children and the elderly “a grave injustice.”
The UN identifies Iran and Pakistan as the largest hosts of Afghan refugees. Iran has hosted an estimated 3.5 million Afghans, while Pakistan has housed 1.6 million. By September 2025, about 126,800 Afghans had returned from Pakistan over the past year.
Last week, the UN refugee agency reported that Pakistan detained a record number of Afghans in 2025, with arrests highest in Balochistan and Punjab. UNHCR said Pakistani authorities detained 100,971 Afghans between January and mid-November which is a drastic rise from about 9,000 in 2024. Most of those held were undocumented migrants or Afghan Citizen Card holders.
The rise in detentions follows two Pakistani government orders this year directing the removal of Afghan migrants from Islamabad and Rawalpindi and authorising police to arrest Proof-of-Registration card holders.
Humanitarian groups have urged Pakistan to ensure returns are voluntary, warning that mass expulsions deepen instability along the border, where returnees often lack housing, jobs and basic services.
Afghan refugees in Pakistan have reported increased fear and uncertainty. Some said police warned locals through mosque announcements not to rent homes or shops to Afghans. Others described shelters being demolished and families being held in detention centres for more than two weeks.
“Winter has already started… If demolitions continue, refugees will be left without shelter and nowhere to go,” one refugee told TOLO News.
(IANS)
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