The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has called on Pakistan not to create problems for Afghan refugees. This comes amid of recent reports of cases of imprisonment and harassment of Afghans living in Pakistan.
Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal, deputy spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in an interview with The Kabul Times correspondent has asked Pakistan to address problems facing Afghan refugees in the country.
“Afghan refugees are facing with increasing problems in Pakistan and one of the problems facing Afghan refugees is the lack of legal documents. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has repeatedly made efforts to find a way for solution of Afghan refugees’ problems through a diplomatic channel,” Takal said.
He added that officials of the MoFA, Afghanistan embassy to Islamabad particularly the ambassador have shared the issue with officials of the host country, saying that Afghanistan consulates in Peshawar and Karachi have also made necessary efforts to address problems facing Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
According to the MoFA’s deputy spokesperson, the issue of Afghan refugees’ problems in Pakistan and those who have been imprisoned in Pakistan have been shared with Pakistan officials and they have been asked to address the issue.
“With continued efforts of the MoFA, Afghanistan consulates to Peshawar and Karachi, hundreds of Afghan refugees have been released from Pakistani jails,” Takal said, adding that despite continued efforts and meetings with Pakistani officials, problems of Afghan refugees have not been addressed in the host country.
According to Takal, Pakistan should not create problems for Afghan refugees living in Pakistan. He further said that the Afghan refugees should be behaved based on principles of the immigration law, asking the UNHCR and other relevant agencies to address problems facing Afghan refugees not only in Pakistan but also in other countries of the world.
Pointing to visas that are hardly issued to Afghans, the MoFA’s deputy spokesperson said, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate has continually asked Pakistan for providing facilities to issue visas to thousands of Afghans who have not been issued visas to legally visit the country.
It is worth mentioning that Afghans who would like to legally visit Pakistan should wait for months to get their visas issued. There are thousands of Afghans who have been waiting for the past 15 months but they have not been issued visas so far.
Shukria Kohistani
Pakistan asked not to create problems for Afghan refugees
