Controversial Expulsion Plan: Pakistan Faces Criticism from Taliban and Afghan Government over Forced Removal of Afghan Refugees

Pakistan’s plan to forcibly remove Afghan refugees and migrants from the country has sparked criticism from both the Taliban and the Afghan government. Pakistan's caretaker government issued an ultimatum for all undocumented immigrants, including Afghan nationals, to leave the country by November 1 or face expulsion. However, the Taliban has denied that Afghan refugees are responsible for Pakistan's security problems and called Pakistan's behavior towards them "unacceptable".

The Taliban spokesperson urged Pakistan to tolerate Afghan refugees as long as they leave voluntarily. Amnesty International and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) also called on Pakistan to reconsider its decision and to protect the rights of Afghan refugees. Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been rising, with clashes along the border and accusations from Pakistan that armed groups use Afghan soil to plan attacks. The strained relations between the two countries have been further exacerbated by the recent crackdown on Afghan refugees in Pakistan.