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UN response to Pakistan's new decision: "Afghan refugees obey the law"

30 Nov 2024 - 9:58

The United Nations has reacted to the Pakistani interior minister's statement that Afghan citizens will not be able to live in Islamabad without a permit from the new year, saying that these refugees obey Pakistani law and their situation should be viewed from a humanitarian perspective.


Afghan Voice Agency (AVA): The UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Pakistan issued a statement to reporters late on Thursday, November 28, saying that any decision regarding the refugees should be prevented and that Pakistan should continue to protect them.
After Pakistani security forces expelled thousands of protesters supporting former Prime Minister Imran Khan from Islamabad, Pakistan's interior minister said in a press conference that from December 31 of this year, Afghan citizens will not be able to live in Islamabad without a police permit.
Mohsin Naqvi added that Afghan refugees who are interested in living in Islamabad must obtain a permit from the Pakistani police.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees said it was monitoring possible restrictions on Afghan refugees from continuing to live in parts of Islamabad and was in touch with Pakistani authorities for more information.
The statement said: “We understand the difficulties, especially the security challenges faced by the government of Pakistan. Refugees are subject to the laws of Pakistan like any other citizen.”
The interior minister did not provide further details, but said that Islamabad police officials would share details in the coming days.
Meanwhile, Islamabad Police Chief Syed Nasir Ali Rizvi said that around 1,000 protesters, including 56 Afghan citizens, were arrested during the demonstrations in support of Imran Khan. He did not provide details.
Political experts in Pakistan say that Afghans do not interfere in the country's political affairs and that government officials are raising the issue of Afghan citizens to hide their "failure".
The Pakistani government began the process of deporting undocumented Afghan refugees in November last year, and this process is still ongoing.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees says that from September 15, 2023 to September 30, 2024, about 588,000 Afghan refugees have returned to their country from Pakistan.


Story Code: 301542

News Link :
https://www.avapress.net/en/news/301542/un-response-to-pakistan-s-new-decision-afghan-refugees-obey-the-law

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