PM asks Afghan interim govt to handover illegal Pakistanis linked with terrorism

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has called on the interim Afghan government to extradite Pakistani nationals who were residing illegally in Afghanistan and involved in terrorist activities against Pakistan.

He made this demand during a press conference at the PM House. PM Kakar also urged the Afghan government to take action against the hideouts and training centers of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Afghanistan, emphasizing that they should not be used against Pakistan.

Since the interim Afghan government came to power in August 2021, Pakistan has experienced a 60% increase in terrorist incidents and a 500% surge in suicide bombings.

PM Kakar pointed out that TTP, operating from Afghanistan, is responsible for these attacks.

He mentioned that 15 Afghan nationals were involved in suicide bombings in Pakistan, and 64 Afghans were killed while fighting Pakistani law enforcement agencies. Pakistan has been sharing this information with Afghan authorities since February.

The United Nations monitoring team’s report in July confirmed that TTP centers in Afghanistan were conducting terrorist operations against Pakistan.

When asked if Pakistan would take action against these hideouts, PM Kakar expressed hope that the Afghan government would take action in their own and Pakistan’s interest.

PM Kakar also raised concerns about military equipment left behind after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 and the mysterious disappearance of Afghan military ammunition.

Pakistan’s decision to repatriate 250,000 illegal residents to their home countries is a significant step, and PM Kakar hopes it will be successful.

He stressed that this policy is not intended to target Pakistani Pashtuns and warned against discrimination based on ethnicity. Regarding Afghans awaiting relocation under the U.S. Special Visa Immigration (SIV) scheme, Pakistan is in touch with their destination countries and has the necessary database.

PM Kakar emphasized that these individuals are on a temporary arrangement and should be relocated according to a timeline.

He dismissed the idea of external pressure on Pakistan and stated that these matters are addressed through requests between governments.

Pakistan is ready to negotiate relocation mechanisms but will not allow these individuals to stay in the country, said PM.

Regarding reports of clandestine activities among those awaiting SIVs in Pakistan, PM Kakar stated that Pakistan’s intelligence agencies are vigilant and capable of identifying and neutralizing terrorists.

He asserted that Pakistan has the legal and ethical right to repatriate illegal foreigners and clarified that registered Afghan refugees in the country would not be deported.