Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sardar Ali Amin Khan Gandhapur’s reservations against federal government’s decision pertained to forcible evacuation of illegal immigrants earned hearts of war affected Afghans but it likely to fuel hardships for the federal government especially for “powerful military establishment.” For a long time the powerful military establishment has been facing failure after failure in its main objectives, which is –forcing Afghans to toe its lines on both internal and external policies.
He made it clear that he wants repatriation of Afghans with honour and dignity, which is not only in the interests of Pakhtoons but also is in the benefits of the country. All these people remained here for a long time and had made contributions in different fields of life and deepened relations with local people.
Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandhapur in a hurriedly called press conference while highlighting achievements and performances of his one year government has held the federal government responsible for all sorts of politico-economic and security issues, saying “ Central illegitimate regime has focused all attention on eliminating one party-PTI.” Adding further, “we, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government initiated steps for settling issues with Afghanistan, (banned TTP), economic hardships of the province, resolving long standing issues of financial arrears and others- but the federal government is reluctant to play its due role.”
Regarding evacuation of illegal immigrants, especially people from war-ravaged Afghanistan, Ali Amin Gandhapur has out rightly denounced the decision, terming it “violation of basic human rights.” He observed, “already Afghans are unhappy due to wrong and unrealistic policies of the high-ups or “influential military establishment and this act of forcibly deportation would further damage image of the country,” He recalled that earlier (in 2023) Pakistan had sent back (deported) lakhs of people, which caused hardships to Taliban government. At the moment, the Afghanistan government is in lack of infrastructures, resources and others, therefore, the federal government must review this decision.
Gandhapur said Afghans deserve Pakistani nationalities as almost all of its populace born and grown here and they are qualifying due criteria
Even Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandhapur has criticized the federal government for making more strict and hard the citizenship law, saying it is more hard compared to US, European and other developed countries. “Afghans deserve Pakistani nationalities as almost all of its populace born and grown here and they are qualifying due criteria.” Gandhapur believes that enmity or confrontation with Afghanistan is not in benefit of Pakistan, especially for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and its people. He in this respect also showed severe concern over prolonged closure of Torkham which ultimately affected no other than people from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Regarding Khyber Pakhtunkhwa initiatives for dialogues with Emirate Islami Afghanistan on the issue of militancy ( banned TTP), bilateral relations and others, Chief Minister Gandha Pur said, “we have already sent Terms Of References (TORs) to federal government but it didn’t responding.” “ Solution to all such issues, especially violence and terror rests in talks and dialogues,” he remarked and recalled the era of Imran Khan from 2018 till 2023, which remained very peaceful compared to present days and past.” He questioned outcomes of military operations against terror and militancy saying all such acts and actions lead to further complications and intensifying of the situation.
Pakistan since September 2023 last worked on evacuation of Afghans lacking what the authorities called lacking documents validating their stay. So far over 800,000 people have been sent back to Afghanistan whereas now all those who are in possession of Afghan Citizen Cards ( ACC’s- issued by Pakistan ) have been directed to leave by March 31st 2025 otherwise after that they will be picked and later will be deported to Afghanistan. The Afghans who are in possession of Proof Of Registration ( POR issued to them jointly by UNHCR and Pakistan through its NADRA) are allowed to remain till June 30th 2025.
Data reveal that so far 2.6 million Afghans are residing in Pakistan. According to UNHCR, the strength of Afghans with possession of POR cards are 13,44,584 and ACC are 9,98,425. It further informs that after the empowering of Taliban in August 2021, 490,000 people slipped into Pakistan and majority of them have made routes towards western world but still 210,000 of them are staying in Islamabad and other main cities.
