Taliban Raises Alarm Over Afghan Refugee Crisis in Pakistan, Citing Detentions and Border Closures

ISLAMABAD – The Taliban administration has issued a stark warning over a deteriorating humanitarian situation affecting tens of thousands of Afghan refugees in Pakistan, citing mass detentions, deadly border closures, and alarming conditions for those stranded and imprisoned.

In a detailed statement from the Taliban-run embassy in Islamabad, Ambassador Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb revealed that approximately 10,000 Afghan refugees are currently being held in prisons and detention centers across Pakistan. This figure comes amid a significant escalation in Pakistan’s campaign to arrest and deport undocumented Afghans, a policy that has strained relations between the two neighboring nations.

“The scale of the arrests and the conditions faced by our compatriots are alarming,” Ambassador Shakeeb stated. “We are receiving consistent reports of families being separated and individuals being detained without due process.”

Border Crossings Paralyzed, Stranding Thousands

Compounding the crisis, key commercial and transit border crossings, including the vital Torkham and Chaman (Boldak) gates, have been closed for nearly three weeks. The closure, attributed by Pakistani authorities to security concerns and the Taliban administration’s failure to address militant sanctuaries, has brought cross-border travel and trade to a complete standstill.

The economic impact is severe. The Torkham crossing alone facilitates hundreds of trucks daily, and its closure has disrupted supply chains for essential goods in both directions. More immediately, the humanitarian toll on people is mounting.

“Thousands of families are now stranded in makeshift camps along the highways, exposed to the elements and facing critical shortages of food, medicine, shelter, and clean drinking water,” Shakeeb reported. He provided a grim tally, warning that at least three children and one woman have died in recent days due to the lack of basic necessities.

Allegations of Extortion and a Plea for Intervention

The ambassador leveled serious allegations against certain Pakistani authorities, claiming that in regions like Punjab, Sialkot, Khushab, and Attock, detained refugees are only released upon payment. “This practice of demanding payment for freedom is deeply troubling and must be investigated,” he said.

In response to the escalating crisis, the Taliban embassy has made a multi-pronged appeal:

1. To Pakistan: They have urgently called on the government to reopen the Torkham, Boldak, Angoor Adda, and Ghulam Khan border crossings to facilitate the “dignified and orderly return” of Afghan refugees. The statement also demands a temporary halt to forced deportations until the borders are operational and proper humanitarian corridors are established.

2. To the International Community: The Taliban administration has appealed directly to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other international aid organizations to “take urgent and effective measures to prevent a potential humanitarian disaster.”

Background of a Protracted Crisis

This latest crisis is rooted in decades of conflict in Afghanistan, which has driven millions of refugees across the border into Pakistan. Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, the number of Afghans fleeing has increased, with many fearing persecution under the new regime.

Pakistan, which hosts an estimated 1.7 million undocumented Afghans, has long defended its right to expel individuals without legal status, citing security and economic pressures. However, human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have consistently criticized the deportation campaign, arguing that it violates international law by returning individuals to a country where they may face grave risks.

The closure of the borders and the mass detentions represent a significant downturn in the already fraught relationship between Islamabad and the Taliban government in Kabul. Diplomatic efforts to resolve the standoff are reportedly ongoing, but with thousands of lives hanging in the balance, the situation on the ground remains critical.

As the stalemate continues, international observers fear that without immediate intervention, the human cost of this political impasse will rise dramatically.

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