Afghan Refugees Arriving Without Shelter & Basic Services, Says Aid Agency

Karzai urged the Pakistani government to treat Afghan refugees in accordance with the principles of good neighbourliness and established international norms. His remarks follow the onset of a second wave of deportations of undocumented Afghan migrants from Pakistan.

Reports indicate that many deported refugees are being denied the opportunity to take their personal belongings with them, with assets and property allegedly seized during the expulsions.

In a statement posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Karzai called on international organisations, Afghan business leaders, and traders to support the return and resettlement of the refugees. He also highlighted the importance of addressing the underlying causes of migration, particularly the ongoing ban on girls’ education beyond primary school and at university level.

“All causes of migration from the country, especially the ban on girls’ education in high schools and universities, must be eliminated so that no one is forced to leave their homeland and Afghan refugees can return home with joy,” Karzai wrote.

Since the beginning of the latest phase of deportations, tens of thousands of Afghan refugees have reportedly been returned via the Torkham border crossing.

The Taliban’s Minister of Public Health also recently commented on the situation, criticising the treatment of Afghan refugees in Iran and Pakistan. He said many were facing harassment and the unlawful seizure of their possessions.

During the meeting, Sani emphasised what he described as stable economic and trade relations between Afghanistan and Russia, expressing appreciation for Moscow’s continued cooperation.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Public Works, the two sides explored the potential acquisition of equipment, machinery, construction materials, bitumen, railway components, and other supplies from Russia. Ambassador Zhirnov reportedly conveyed Russia’s readiness to collaborate in these areas.

The ministry also confirmed that both parties stressed the importance of enhancing bilateral relations. A delegation from the Afghan Ministry of Public Works is expected to visit Russia in the near future to further these discussions.

Originally constructed in 1964 with support from the former Soviet Union, the Salang Tunnel was designed to serve as a vital transport link between Kabul and northern Afghanistan, while also facilitating trade with Central Asian countries.

Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, economic engagement between Russia and Afghanistan has increased. The Taliban administration is now seeking Moscow’s assistance to restore the ageing tunnel, which remains a critical infrastructure asset for the country.

He noted that he is receiving an increasing number of messages from citizens expressing willingness to support efforts against the Taliban regime.

Speaking on Monday during an online ceremony marking the second anniversary of the deaths of key members of the Afghanistan Freedom Front in Salang district of Parwan province, Massoud stressed: “No regime can survive without popular support, and change and transformation will inevitably come.”

He added: “I envision a day when we will celebrate freedom, justice, and democracy alongside our people.”

Massoud accused the Taliban of committing acts of oppression and terror, and underscored the need for unity among all factions opposed to the group. “The clock may be in the Taliban’s hands, but time is with the people of Afghanistan,” he remarked.

He further warned that no government can remain stable without the backing of its people, and regional or global geopolitical manoeuvres alone cannot sustain the Taliban regime.

Massoud called on anti-Taliban movements to resist divisive schemes aimed at fuelling discord along ethnic, geographic, or provincial lines. He urged unity as the cornerstone of resistance.

The Afghanistan Freedom Front held Monday’s event online, with participation from several political leaders, including Ahmad Massoud and Mohammad Mohaqiq. The ceremony commemorated the killing of seven members of the group, including Akmal Amir, during a Taliban attack in April 2023.

The directive, issued by the Taliban’s Directorate of Justice in Kunduz province on 29 March, cites the continued operation of Hezb-e-Islami despite the official ban on political party activities.

“If there is any office of Hezb-e-Islami in any province, its equipment must be handed over to the relevant authorities and the office closed. The staff should be detained until they repent from their activities,” the letter states. It further orders that individuals operating under the party’s name, even in areas without a formal office, must be identified and arrested.

The directive also instructs that the measures be implemented in coordination with provincial governors and the Taliban intelligence agency.

On Monday, Habib-ur-Rahman posted a photo of the document on the social media platform X, sharply criticising the Taliban for what he described as a campaign to silence opposition and suppress political expression.

In his post, he wrote, “The Taliban are ignorant of justice and Islamic rights. They do not tolerate advice, criticism, or dissent.”

He further likened the Taliban’s rule to that of Afghanistan’s former communist regime, questioning their legitimacy. “Only the Taliban have the right to govern, while hundreds of thousands of young people are fleeing the country. The communists failed and were disgraced — and the Taliban are repeating the same failed and shameful experiment,” he wrote.

The Taliban dissolved the political parties department within the Ministry of Justice in April 2022 and dismissed its staff. Since then, the ministry has repeatedly asserted that political party activity is illegal under the current regime.

In a statement carried by the Taliban-affiliated Bakhtar News Agency on Monday, deputy spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat dismissed allegations that armed groups are using Afghan territory to launch attacks into Pakistan. He described the claims as “false” and accused Pakistan of deflecting blame for its own failures.

“Pakistan’s security problems are its internal matter,” Fitrat said. “Blaming Afghanistan is a way for Islamabad to avoid accountability for its own shortcomings.”

The remarks were made in response to comments by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who, speaking in London on Sunday, stated that terrorist groups were operating from Afghan soil. Sharif noted that Pakistan had repeatedly urged the Taliban to adhere to the terms of the Doha Agreement by preventing cross-border militancy.

Sharif specifically named Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as one of the groups allegedly conducting operations from Afghanistan, resulting in the deaths of numerous Pakistani civilians.

Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have escalated in recent months, fuelled by concerns over border insecurity and the activities of extremist groups. Pakistani officials have consistently accused the Taliban of harbouring militants, including the TTP, who they claim use Afghanistan as a base for launching attacks.

The Taliban has consistently denied these accusations, maintaining that no armed group is permitted to threaten other nations from Afghan territory and that Pakistan’s ongoing security issues stem from its own domestic conditions.