Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Balochistan organized a conference at the Quetta Press Club on Thursday to address concerns over the ongoing deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan, urging authorities to adopt a more respectful and lawful approach in handling the matter.
Speakers at the event criticized the current deportation mechanism as inappropriate and emphasized that Afghan refugees, many of whom have resided in Pakistan for decades, should have been allowed to return with dignity rather than through coercion.
Participants acknowledged the contribution of Afghan refugees to Pakistan’s economy and argued that, similar to policies in European countries, Pakistani citizenship should be granted to those who have lived in the country for extended periods.
They noted that many Afghan refugees view Pakistan as their home and therefore, any repatriation should adhere to international standards, particularly those outlined by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
A joint communiqué issued at the conclusion of the conference called on authorities to abolish the visa system between Pakistan and Afghanistan and to extend the stay of Afghan students currently enrolled in Pakistan.
The conference was addressed by JI Balochistan Ameer and MPA Moulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman, Naib Ameer Abdul Mateen Akhunzada, ANP’s Provincial General Secretary Mabat Kaka, Dr. Atta-ur-Rehman, Haji Muhammad Siddique Achakzai, Abdul Ghafar Madani, Yousaf Notezai, Haji Abdul Manan, Sardar Habib Khan Sherani Bareach, and others.