Pakistan to consider extending deadline for Afghan refugees facing mass deportation to leave
Any extension approved by the government would be a relief for those who were previously ordered to return to Afghanistan by 30 June, according to government and security officials.
A decision could come on Tuesday when the Cabinet is due to meet.
In 2023, Pakistan launched a controversial crackdown on foreigners it said were in the country illegally, mostly Afghan nationals.
Millions of Afghans have fled their homeland over the decades to escape war or poverty.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the matter, said the proposed extension was to allow the refugees more time to settle their personal affairs in Pakistan, such as selling property or wrapping up business activities, before returning to Afghanistan in an orderly and dignified way.A senior ministry official said the decision to submit the extension proposal was made last week. A summary regarding the fate of the Afghan refugees has been forwarded for inclusion in the Cabinet agenda.The Interior Ministry, which has overseen the sweeping crackdown on Afghans, did not immediately comment.There was no comment either from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, which previously said it expected Afghan authorities to create "conducive conditions" so that those returning were fully integrated into Afghan society.Earlier this year, Pakistan said it wanted 3 million Afghans to leave the country, including 1.4 million people with Proof of Registration cards and some 800,000 with Afghan Citizen Cards.There are a further 1 million Afghans in the country illegally because they have no paperwork, according to officials.They said Pakistan's Ministry of States and Frontier Regions submitted a proposal to the federal government recommending a six-month extension for Afghans with Proof of Registration cards.Pakistan's expulsion campaign has drawn strong criticism from the UN and rights groups.The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said on Monday that Afghanistan was not equipped to absorb such high numbers of returnees."Local systems are on the verge of collapse, threatening access to essential services for both returnees and host communities," the UN agency added.Human Rights Watch has accused authorities of arbitrarily detaining and forcibly deporting Afghans, many of whom they say, face harassment under the Taliban who seized power in Afghanistan in 2021.On Saturday, the UN refugee agency said at least 1.2 million Afghans have been forced to return from Iran and Pakistan this year.It warned that repatriations on a massive scale have the potential to destabilise the fragile situation in Afghanistan. — Euronews
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Asharq Al-Awsat
6 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
‘Lucrative' Business Deals Help Sustain Israel's Gaza Campaign, UN Expert Says
A UN expert has named over 60 companies, including major arms manufacturers and technology firms, in a report alleging their involvement in supporting Israeli settlements and military actions in Gaza, which she called a "genocidal campaign." Italian human rights lawyer Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, compiled the report based on over 200 submissions from states, human rights defenders, companies, and academics. The report, published late Monday, calls for companies to cease dealings with Israel and for legal accountability for executives implicated in alleged violations of international law. "While life in Gaza is being obliterated and the West Bank is under escalating assault, this report shows why Israel's genocide continues: because it is lucrative for many," Albanese wrote in the 27-page document. She accused corporate entities of being "financially bound to Israel's apartheid and militarism." Israel's mission in Geneva said the report was "legally groundless, defamatory and a flagrant abuse of her office". The Israeli prime minister's office and the foreign office did not immediately return requests for comment. The US mission to the United Nations in New York called on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to condemn Albanese and call for her removal, adding that "the lack of such action to date has enabled Ms. Albanese to pursue her campaign of economic warfare targeting entities across the world." Israel has rejected accusations of genocide in Gaza, citing its right to self-defense following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that killed 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. The subsequent war in Gaza has killed more than 56,000 people, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, and reduced the enclave to rubble. ARMS FIRMS NAMED IN REPORT The report groups the companies by sector, for example military or technology, and does not always make clear if they are linked to settlements or the Gaza campaign. It said around 15 companies responded directly to Albanese's office but did not publish their replies. It names arms firms such as Lockheed Martin and Leonardo, alleging their weaponry has been used in Gaza. It also lists heavy machinery suppliers Caterpillar Inc and HD Hyundai, claiming their equipment has contributed to property destruction in Palestinian territories. "Foreign military sales are government-to-government transactions. Discussions about those sales are best addressed by the US government," said a spokesperson for Lockheed Martin. None of the other companies immediately responded to Reuters' requests for comment. Caterpillar has previously stated it expects its products to be used in line with international humanitarian law. Technology giants Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, and IBM were named as "central to Israel's surveillance apparatus and the ongoing Gaza destruction." Alphabet has previously defended its $1.2 billion cloud services contract with the Israeli government, stating it is not directed at military or intelligence operations. Palantir Technologies was also mentioned for providing AI tools to the Israeli military, though specifics on their use were not included. The report expands on a previous UN database of firms linked to Israeli settlements, last updated in June 2023, adding new companies and detailing alleged ties to the ongoing Gaza conflict. It will be presented to the 47-member UN Human Rights Council on Thursday. Although the Council lacks legally binding powers, cases documented by UN investigations have occasionally informed international prosecutions. Israel and the United States disengaged from the Council earlier this year, citing bias against Israel.
Saudi Gazette
8 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Cabinet reaffirms Saudi position of resolving conflicts through diplomatic means
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — The Council of Ministers on Tuesday reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's position of resolving conflicts through diplomatic means. Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman chaired the Cabinet session in Jeddah. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, Minister of State for Shoura Council Affairs and Acting Minister of Media Dr. Essam bin Saad bin Saeed said that the Cabinet reviewed the latest developments in the region and the world. The council reiterated the Kingdom's positions, as expressed by the Crown Prince, during his communications with leaders of friendly countries. The Council pledged its continued support for international efforts aimed at achieving regional and global security and peace, addressing crises, easing tensions, and activating dialogue through diplomatic means as an effective means of settling disputes and resolving conflicts. The Cabinet emphasized the Kingdom's statement of solidarity with the State of Qatar and its categorical rejection of any infringement on its sovereignty or threat to its security and stability. At the outset of the session, the Cabinet expressed gratitude to God Almighty for the Kingdom's honor of serving His Holy House and the Mosque of His Messenger, and for His grace in enabling the Kingdom to achieve continuous success during the last Hajj season through performance of Hajj rituals in ease and comfort by more than 1.6 million pilgrims, and devoting all the Kingdom's capabilities and energies to this end, under the constant directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman. The Cabinet commended the efforts of the Supreme Hajj Committee and all those working within the Hajj Service System in implementing the security, preventive, organizational, and health plans with utmost skill and competence. This has made the Kingdom a global model in crowd management and providing the highest quality services to visitors to the Two Holy Mosques and the holy sites. The Council followed up on the efforts of the relevant authorities in meeting the needs of pilgrims from Iran and securing hundreds of air and land trips for their safe return to their homeland, following the difficult circumstances their country had been experiencing. The Council emphasized that serving and caring for the Guests of God is the Kingdom's one of the most important goals and greatest concerns. Following this, the Crown Prince briefed the Council on the contents of the letters received by King Salman from President of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro Moros, President of Vietnam Luong Cong, and President of Angola João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço. These letters pertained to relations between the Kingdom and their respective countries and ways to promote and strengthen them in various fields. Dr. Essam said that the Cabinet affirmed the role of the international community in ending the disastrous repercussions of the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people, protecting innocent civilians, and creating a new reality in which Palestine enjoys peace in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions. The Council expressed Saudi Arabia's welcoming of the signing of the peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Cabinet hoped that it will fulfill the aspirations of the peoples of both countries for development and prosperity, and will benefit regional and international security and stability. The Cabinet considered the inauguration of the Global Water Organization's activities at its headquarters in Riyadh to be an affirmation of the Kingdom's commitment to promoting international initiatives and its keenness to consolidate mutual cooperation between countries, including supporting joint coordination to address the growing challenges associated with this essential element of life. The Council highlighted the election of Saudi Arabia as vice president of the Executive Council of the World Health Organization and its selection as a member of the UN High-Level Group for Partnership, Coordination, and Capacity-Building in Statistics for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Council also noted the inclusion of the Uruq Bani Ma'arid Reserve on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Green List. The minister stated that the Cabinet welcomed the final statement issued by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff regarding the 2025 Article IV Consultations with the Kingdom. The statement praised the Saudi economy's resilience in the face of global economic challenges, with the expansion of non-oil sector activities, the containment of inflation, and the unemployment rate reaching its lowest levels in history, all in line with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. The Cabinet also discussed the results of the seventh edition of the King Abdulaziz Quality Award, praising the winning establishments' commitment to adopting the principles of institutional excellence and raising levels of performance quality, which contributes to enhancing the quality of outputs and achieving national targets. The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Interior or his representative to sign a draft cooperation agreement between the governments of Saudi Arabia and Algeria in the field of combating organized crime. It approved an agreement between the Saudi and Italian governments on mutual exemption from short-stay visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, special, or service passports. The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Foreign Affairs or his representative to negotiate and sign with the Russian side a draft agreement between the Saudi and Russian governments regarding mutual exemption from entry visa requirements for citizens of both countries. The Council approved a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance and Pakistan's Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony in the field of Islamic affairs. It authorized the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture or his representative to negotiate and sign with the International Consultative Group on Agricultural Research (CGIAR) regarding a draft agreement between the Ministry and the CGIAR to promote sustainability and innovation in the agricultural sector in the Kingdom. The Council approved a MoU between the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development of Zambia for cooperation in the field of mineral resources in the mining sector. It approved the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources or his representative to complete the necessary procedures for the Kingdom's accession to the Integrated Industrial Partnership for Sustainable Economic Development. The Council endorsed the amendment of the name of the Supreme National Investment Committee under the Council of Economic and Development Affairs to become the National Investment Committee of CEDA. It approved a mechanism for registering and verifying the biometric data of those arriving in and departing from the Kingdom via cruise ships. The Ministry of Education shall be the technical supervisory authority—in accordance with the Law of Associations and Civil Institutions—for the Saudi Arabian Boy Scouts Association. The Cabinet also endorsed reconstitution of the Insurance Disputes and Violations Resolution Committee in Dammam, headed by Saleh Al-Ghamdi, and including Dr. Muhammad Al-Duailej and Dr. Suleiman Al-Hamid as members.
Leaders
11 hours ago
- Leaders
Omani Consul General Explores Investment Prospects in Aseer Region
Salim bin Mohammed Al Busaidi, Consul General of the Sultanate of Oman in Jeddah, met with officials from the Abha Chamber of Commerce and Industry to explore ways to boost trade and investment ties between Oman and the Aseer Region. During his visit to the Chamber's headquarters, Al Busaidi received a comprehensive overview of Aseer's economic landscape and development potential. He was briefed on the region's most promising investment opportunities, particularly those suited for Omani investors. Discussions centered on key sectors including tourism, agriculture, and logistics. The meeting also covered the support mechanisms and facilitation services offered by both public and private entities to attract investors. The visit underscored the ongoing efforts to deepen the strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and Oman. Related Topics : Omani delegation pressures Houthis to accept UN's peace plan Saudi Arabia, Russia to Continue Oil Coordination Saudi FM Says 'Not Enough Progress' Made at Talks with Iran We thank Saudi Arabia for supporting peace in Ukraine: Zelensky Short link : Post Views: 15 Related Stories
