CSTO, SCO Pledge To Strengthen Counterterrorism Cooperation

In a high-level meeting on Tuesday, they called for “concrete actions” from the Afghan Taliban to curb TTP activities, citing recent deadly attacks on Pakistani security forces.

The concerns were raised during a conference of top military officials in Rawalpindi, chaired by Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir. According to an official statement from the Pakistani military, the meeting underscored the urgent need for decisive and tangible measures by the Taliban to address the threat posed by the TTP.

This development comes just days after a deadly insurgent attack in Balochistan, in which 18 Pakistani soldiers lost their lives. The recent surge in cross-border militancy has heightened tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with Islamabad repeatedly urging the Taliban to prevent their territory from being used as a safe haven for terrorist groups.

Pakistan’s military leadership reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding national security and maintaining stability in the region, while also calling for enhanced cooperation from the Taliban authorities to tackle the growing security challenge.

His family currently resides in Canada, and he had been waiting for his immigration visa while staying with his sister in Pakistan.

Sher, a 23-year-old from the Bazarak district of Panjshir, had been living with his sister in the Peshawar Mor area of Islamabad. On the night of 3 February, he died by suicide. His body has been sent for forensic examination.

According to sources, Sher had been in Pakistan for nearly two years, awaiting resettlement, with his immigration case in its final stages. He had also completed his medical examination. However, he reportedly struggled with uncertainty due to the prolonged immigration process and increasing pressure from Pakistan’s strict policing of Afghan refugees.

Before his death, Pakistani police had reportedly inspected the guesthouse where Sher was staying.

Over the past three years, there have been multiple reports of Afghan refugees in Pakistan dying by suicide. Since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, thousands of Afghans have fled to Pakistan in hopes of resettlement. However, slow case processing and mounting pressure from Pakistani authorities have exacerbated their struggles.

Most Afghan refugees in Pakistan are awaiting relocation to the United States, but with the suspension of the U.S. immigration programme under Donald Trump, many are facing heightened uncertainty. Alongside visa delays and economic hardship, the threat of detention and deportation to Afghanistan has placed Afghan refugees under immense psychological and emotional distress.

The UN Security Council’s sanctions committee stated that Haqqani’s travel ban was temporarily lifted for ten days, allowing him to visit Saudi Arabia until 3 February.

During his journey to Saudi Arabia, Haqqani made a stop in the United Arab Emirates, where he met with the country’s head of state. It has now been approximately two weeks since his unexpected visit to the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

This marks the third exemption granted to Haqqani. Previously, the UN Security Council had also permitted the Taliban's Interior Minister to travel to the UAE and perform the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

It remains unclear whether Saudi officials held any political discussions with Haqqani during his visit. However, unlike the Taliban’s Interior Minister, Saudi Arabia extended a warm and public welcome to Ahmad al-Sharaa, the head of Syria’s interim government.

Unlike Haqqani, al-Sharaa does not require UN Security Council approval for his pilgrimage, as he is not subject to sanctions. Previously, the United States had lifted a $10 million bounty placed on him. However, the $10 million bounty on Haqqani remains in effect.

Authorities have been instructed to implement this plan discreetly.

A report published on Tuesday revealed that the plan was finalised last week during a series of meetings chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. A source within the Prime Minister’s office disclosed that General Asim Munir, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, attended one of these meetings.

Phased Relocation of Afghan Migrants

In the first phase, Afghan citizens holding an Afghanistan Citizenship Card (ACC) will be immediately expelled from Islamabad and Rawalpindi alongside undocumented migrants. The ACC, issued by Pakistan’s National Database & Registration Authority, grants temporary legal status to Afghans, but its validity is determined by the federal government.

The second phase will focus on Afghans holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, which legally allow them to reside anywhere in Pakistan. These individuals will be relocated from Islamabad and Rawalpindi, but they will not be immediately expelled. Sources indicate that PoR cardholders have been granted permission to stay in Pakistan until June.

There are an estimated 1.3 million Afghans in Pakistan with PoR cards and 700,000 with ACC cards.

Expulsion of Afghans Awaiting Resettlement

Meanwhile, Afghan refugees awaiting resettlement in third countries will be expelled from Islamabad and Rawalpindi by 31 March. Sources confirmed that Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is coordinating with embassies and international organisations to expedite their resettlement process. Afghans who cannot secure placement in a third country will also be sent back to Afghanistan.

Between 10,000 and 15,000 Afghan nationals in Pakistan are currently awaiting resettlement in the United States, according to Dawn. While the exact number of Afghans residing in Islamabad and Rawalpindi remains unclear, relocating them from these cities presents significant logistical challenges, particularly for those who regularly engage with foreign embassies and international aid organisations.

Implementation and Growing Criticism

The Ministry of Interior will oversee the relocation and deportation process, while intelligence agencies will ensure its implementation.

In 2023, Pakistan launched a nationwide campaign to expel millions of Afghans it claims are living illegally within its borders. According to the International Organization for Migration, more than 800,000 Afghan migrants have returned to Afghanistan since 15 September 2023.

Pakistan’s decision to forcibly expel Afghan refugees has drawn widespread criticism both domestically and internationally.

He added that another 100,000 have been arrested and subjected to the legal deportation process.

He further warned that employers hiring undocumented refugees would face significant fines.

The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported on Tuesday, quoting the Iranian official: "Simply arresting and expelling foreign nationals is not sufficient. Penalties have been imposed on those who facilitate housing and employment for unauthorised foreigners."

The governor of Tehran also revealed that this year, 300 businesses, including restaurants and other enterprises, have been shut down for hiring undocumented refugees.

Motamedian cautioned that these measures would intensify and emphasised, "We believe that public cooperation is crucial in addressing the issue of foreign nationals."

Meanwhile, Morteza Ali Pouri, the deputy governor of Alborz for political, social, and security affairs, also announced that in the current solar year, 60,000 undocumented refugees have been repatriated from the province.

He stated, "Any lease or rental agreement for residential, commercial, or industrial buildings by individuals or real estate agents with unauthorised foreign nationals is strictly prohibited."

Previously, Eskandar Momeni, Iran’s Minister of Interior, had announced that since the beginning of the current solar year, approximately 1.1 million Afghan migrants have been deported from Iran.

He also mentioned that at least six million foreign nationals reside in Iran, with at least two million lacking proper documentation.

In addition to accelerating the deportation of Afghan migrants, Iran has prohibited their presence in certain cities and criminalised the employment of undocumented migrants.