ASIA
War devastated Afghans deserves mercy
Author: Shamim Shaid
The Afghans, who on the grounds of fear for their lives, left the country after the empowering of Taliban in mid-August 2021, are still forced to stumble across the world especially in neighboring countries, including Pakistan. Still hundreds of families, mostly women and children, are waiting for their turn to land in any Western European country.
Though a large number of people, after the Taliban’s second takeover of Kabul succeeded in slipping to Europe, US, Central Asian countries and the Middle East. And thousands of others due to the proximity of geographical location had moved to Iran and Pakistan. By the way, there are not many differences in policies of Iran and Pakistan in terms of continuing the war and conflict and cropping up obstacles in return for peace and stability in Afghanistan, but in terms of providing shelter to refugees and treating them, the approaches of both the neighbors are in contrast.
Afghans in Pakistan and Iran
People of almost all areas and regions of Pakistan having origin either from Afghanistan or belong to Afghan tribes scattered throughout the Indian subcontinent, therefore they are having blood relations and sympathies with the Afghans irrespective of policies of ruling corridors if Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Not only people from all four provinces across the country, but even the dwellers of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan also cannot remain silent on the abuse of Afghan refugees or residents by state institutions. While in Iran, the policies are different for the Afghans even since the days of civil conflict and former Soviet Union invasions.
The abuses of Afghans in neighboring countries, especially in Islamic Republic of Iran will be mentioned in the dark chapters of history. For this reason, after the Taliban takeover on August 15, 2021, majority people from Afghanistan came to Pakistan and a limited number of them, fortunately or unluckily, have reached Western countries. Unfortunately, in the sense that most of them escaped and detached from their loved ones and their motherland and – bad luck in the sense that those who have a luxurious and possessive lifestyle in Afghanistan will now be counted among the immigrants in alien lands or countries. However, Almighty Allah gifted these people with survival at the time when thousands were either made hostages or eliminated in fake encounters by Taliban. But still the majority are in wait and facing miseries in hotels and apartments at Islamabad, Peshawar and other places throughout Pakistan.
No one can deny political victimization of civilians
Majority of Afghans who are stranded at scattered areas of Pakistan were either directly remaining occupants of important offices in government, semi government, diplomatic missions, foreign funded non government organizations and other lucrative jobs. On such grounds, their lives had to be at danger after Taliban takeover, therefore, their act of rushing to neighboring countries could be appreciated and deserve support and encouragement on humanitarian grounds. No one can deny the political victimization of civilians at the hands of the Taliban in some parts throughout Afghanistan. According to the United Nations and other international organizations, during one year, the Taliban officials allegedly killed around 3,000 people on political grounds, while forcing hundreds of women into marriages with self-styled commanders and Amirs.
Besides others, the Taliban regime has shuttered women’s schools and deprived them of their legitimate right to education. After the occupation of Kabul by the Taliban, the majority of people who are willing or waiting to move to Pakistan and go to other countries are women and children. Many of them are staying with their close relatives or friends or in rented houses at Islamabad, Peshawar and other cities.
During frequent visits to a few hotels in Islamabad, it was observed that a large number of boys and girls are among those waiting for their turns of flying to foreign countries. Inside hotels in Islamabad and other rented apartments, these people are confined to small rooms day and night. There is no friendly situation for these unfortunates who are victims of imposed wars and hostilities in their motherland.
Full support to the Taliban
Ironically, despite not recognizing the Taliban regime, the US lead allies are extending every sort of support to the Taliban government. Irrespective of US apparent anger against the Taliban regime, compared to 90’s, now the present Emirate Islami is powerful in Afghanistan. All US led allies are fully cooperating with the Taliban government. These allies are completely silent spectators to the ongoing inhumane treatment of people in Afghanistan. While many regional countries, including Pakistan and Iran, have adopted policies beneficial for the Taliban government in Afghanistan.
Whatever is reaction but it is crystal clear that the one time powerful and United Afghanistan has been made crippled due to imposed wars and hostilities. As a result of these imposed wars and hostilities, the Afghan society is ahead with destruction and erosions. Afghanistan is no longer a threat to any country for the next one century. But the Afghans living in exile would emerge as problematic for the host countries in near future.
Afghans not pose threat to anyone
The criminal silence on the current situation in Afghanistan and the treatment of Afghans in foreign countries including neighboring countries should be broken now. The people of Afghanistan, who have been fighting for almost six decades, can no longer pose any threat to any neighboring or regional country. The Afghans as a nation now deserve sympathies and mercies in the wake of stock of miseries, hardship and even threats to their survival both in and outside of Afghanistan.
The article was originally written by Shamim Shaid, and translated to English from Urdu.
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