Meanwhile, The Islamic Emirate has announced readiness to address the issues of these deportees, and says that substantial assistance has been provided.
The expulsion crisis of Afghan immigrants
Interviews conducted by Killid reporters in the provinces of Nangarhar, Khost, and Kandahar with migrants expelled from Pakistan and Iran indicate that these individuals have faced harsh and inappropriate behavior in these countries.
They claim that the Pakistani police have shown no compassion to children or women, entering their homes and even imprisoning some of the Migrants.
Momin Khan, who returned to the country with his 11 children after 12 years in Islamabad, Pakistan, says that the police raided his house several times, and with huge intimidation and beating force them to leave their house.
” Pakistani police forcefully entered our home, took my son with them, and said if you don’t give us a one hundred fifty thousand Pakistani rupees, we won’t release your son. Eventually, with great difficulty, I borrowed a hundred thousand rupees and rescued my son from their clutches“
Momin khan adds that Pakistani police in process of their checking took away the clothes and gold of the women in his family members. According to Momin Khan, the police harassed his family in various ways along the route from Islamabad to Torkham and extorting money from them. “When I reached to Torkham they took 20,000 thousand out of 30,000 thousand rupees that I had with myself. “
Along the way, the Pakistani police treated the migrants unfairly and took them out of the car and imprisoned them. “On the way, Pakistani soldiers took me out of the car and said that these people should be taken to prison. They took me with them and my women and children were left alone on the road.” Said Adam khan another deported afghan.
The migrants who arrives in Kandahar province also carry bitter memories, and say that the Pakistani police forcibly took their stuffs cash and even women’s gold.
Mr. Akhtar gul recounts that he bought a house to live in the Quetta area of Pakistan several years ago. But when he wanted to leave it and sell it, the police did not allow him to do so.
“I had car garage and property that remain there. In short, I lost all my property and asset.”
Abdul Majid 55 year old man and father of 11 child who recently arrived to khost province says that police of Pakistan looted all his property “We faced a lot of cruelty and sever injustice they expelled us from their country with insult and inhuman actions.”
However, Afghans who have been expelled from Iran also complain about police misconduct in that country.
Mohammad Khan, a resident of Balkh Province, who has lived in Iran for 31 years, says that he will never forget the bitter memories and ill-treats of the Iranian police.
“The demeanor of Iran police toward Afghans is inhuman they took all the money that I had and after severe beating they deported me from their country “
Hossamuddin, a resident of Kunduz Province and another one of these deportees, endured hunger and thirst and spent three days in Iran prison. ” They treated me inhumanely in prison. “I was beaten mercilessly and there was no compassion.”
Reactions
The inappropriate behavior of the Pakistani and Iranian police with Afghan immigrants not only provoked serious criticism from human rights organizations, but also sparked outrage among the authorities of the Islamic Emirate.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, urged Pakistan in a statement to treat Afghan migrants kindly.
“In this statement, mentioned that Afghan migrants being forcibly deported from Pakistan their property, possessions or assets shall not be seized or taken from them. “No country Has the right to impose unfair conditions on migrants.”
Afrasyab Khattak, a politician and former member of the Pakistani Parliament, also accused Islamabad of mistreating Afghan immigrants and confiscating their property.
“Pakistan government harasses and mistreats Afghan immigrants and has looted all their property. Pakistani police have even the personal belongings of the Afghan immigrants.”
On the other hand, Aziz Maarij, an expert of international relation, says: “The international community and the current government should raise their voices against Pakistan’s inhumane actions so that the country respects international laws and principles.”
Government actions
The Islamic Emirate has established a commission led by Mawlavi Abdul Salam Hanafi, the administrative deputy of the Prime Minister to manage this crisis and deal with the problems of these returnees from Pakistan.
This commission consists of 12 committees that work in different sectors such as health, transportation, shelter, food, and other services.
According to the authorities of the Islamic Emirate, hundreds of thousands of Afghans expellees from Pakistan have been temporarily accommodated in Torkham Jalalabad and Spin Buldak Kandahar camps for a short period of time, and some are transferred to their provinces and regions for free.
In addition, the Islamic Emirate has allocated 2 billion Afghanis for the construction of shelters, provision of food and health services.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, said that the necessary facilities for these deportees have been provided in the established camps. “ For these returnees, facilities such as tents, mobile health teams, telecommunication services, food, drinking water, free transportation and other facilities have been considered.”
Where the returnees are relocate to?
Temporary camps for deported migrants have been established in Torkham and Spin Buldak, and the number of these camps will be increased if needed Officials said.
Mawlavi Qesmatullah Mubariz, The technical director of the temporary accommodation committee in Torkham: “Another camp with spanning 650 acres, with all facilities is under construction. This camp will include Masjid, school and other amenities for its residents. It is worth mentioning that the construction of tents and water reservoirs is nearing completion” he said .
Meanwhile, health officials pointed out that health teams are active in Torkham and Spin Buldek camps.
Dr. Sharafat Zaman, the spokesperson of health ministry, said that in addition to informing 80 thousand people in these camps, comprehensive health services are also provided.
“In Torkham alone, we have set up more than 30 ambulances. More than 12,000 health centers are actively providing surgical, maternity and other medical services. Within a month, 62,000 people received medical services, and this number has now increased to 80,000. Found.”
Concern and help of the world community
The cold weather and the forced deportation of a large number of Afghan immigrants from Pakistan have raised global concerns.
Ibrahim bahees, an official of the International Crisis Group said that Pakistan’s policies towards these migrants are increase crisis in the region.
On the other hand, QU Dongyu the head of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) announced in a press conference in Geneva that the Afghan families who were forcibly deported from Pakistan are on the verge of life and death and are living in very dire conditions.
Harald Mannhardt, the deputy of the World Food Program in Afghanistan, also said that at least 27 million dollars of emergency aid is necessary for the returnees in the upcoming winter.
According to reports, thus far the European Union has pledged 60 million euros, the United Nations 10 million dollars and Japan has committed 58 million dollars financial assistance.
What is demands of expellee’s?
Shelter, employment, and education centers are the major demands of these deported refugees Abdul Qayum, who settled in Balkh province, asks the government to give him a land to build a shelter. “I have neither land nor a house. I ask the authorities of the Islamic Emirate to allocate land for me so that I can have a shelter.”
Amanullah another deportee in Helmand province, request from the government to provide job opportunities for him. “ We ask the Islamic Emirate to create job opportunities for us “
Meanwhile, the Islamic Emirate says that it has allocated 200,000 plots of land for returning Afghans.
Mawlawe Attaullah Omari, Acting Minister of Agriculture and Chairman of the Land Allocation Committee during his visit to the Afghan refugee camp in Torkham on December 8, mentioned that if this amount of land is not sufficient, more will be distributed.
“We intend to distribute 200,000 plots of land in different provinces for these returnees, but it should be noted that this number will increase if needed. “
Education
In addition to other requests, the returnees consider the continuation of their children’s education important and vital. They want the government to pay serious attention to this aspect.
Obaidullah one of the returnees says: “We want to continue our education and we ask the Islamic Emirate to provide us with the necessary conditions for education.”
Muhammad Alam another deportee says: “Our children were studying in Pakistan. Now inside the country, we want them to be present in schools and universities. The doors of schools and universities should be open to girls as well. “
But in response to these concerns, the Ministry of Higher Education issued a statement indicating that all students and teachers who have returned from Pakistan will be absorb in public and private universities.
According to this announcement, Afghan students who have not completed their education abroad will be admitted to universities based on their educational documents.
Will job opportunities be provided for these individuals?
The lack of job opportunities inside the country is a serious concern for these deported people According to them, the government should create job opportunities for them
In response to these concerns, officials in the Ministry of work and Social Affairs stated that the ministry is one of the 12 committees within the framework of the commission dealing with the issues of deported migrants and is making efforts to solve this problem.
Samiullah Ibrahimi, spokesperson of this ministry said to Radio Killid that their committee in Torkham, Spin Buldak, and Angoor Ada is active. Its responsibility is to register the details of the returnees for their employment in government offices. “People who have the ability to work in vacant positions in government offices will be recruited in these positions based on the guidelines of the Prime Minister’s Office. “
Solutions
Analysts says, that government should prioritize the issue of deported migrants from Pakistan and Iran on its agenda.
Mashal Samsoor an economic analyst says that the government has allocated 2 billion Afghanis for returning migrants and its opportune action. But he adds that this amount of money may not be enough if the number of people being laid off increases. “In my opinion, 2 billion Afghanis is not enough to manage this crisis. Because allocating this amount of money will not be enough to deal with the problems of expelled refugees in Spin Buldek and Torkham camps.”
Abdul wasi Qani, another expert, wants the government to take stronger steps to solve the problems of these deported people.
“Considering this situation, the Islamic Emirate should strive to improve its relations with the international community. This action will attract more international aid for the returnees, align public utility projects, and ultimately create job opportunities for them.”
Pakistan has said that it will complete the process of deporting illegal Afghan immigrants, whose number is estimated to be around one and a half million, within a month.
But how this crisis could be managed, will the Islamic Emirate be able to face this great challenge alone? The passage of time will answer all these concerns
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