Pakistan has not only fought the Afghan war for a long time but has also provided refuge to Afghans affected by this war. Afghans ought to have cooperated with Pakistan in establishing peace; instead, Pakistan has been turned into a battlefield. Terrorism is being committed across the border and inside Pakistan, and the Afghan Government is a silent spectator. The apex committee has directed all illegal immigrants to leave Pakistan in light of such circumstances. If all this had started earlier with the National Action Plan, the situation might be different today. Yet, as a case in point, it can still yield very positive results if fully implemented.
Undoubtedly, the terrorist incident on the spiritual day of 12 Rabi-ul-Awal has shaken the nation once again and in the meeting of the Apex Committee, Army Chief General Asim Munir has clearly announced that the establishment of state writ will go to the last extent. The Minister of Interior has also proclaimed the decision of the meeting and said that a large number of Afghans have been found involved in terrorism in the country, therefore illegal immigrants, especially Afghan refugees, will be sent back to their homeland, however, after this announcement, it was expected that there would be a positive reaction from the Afghanistan Government but the opposite reaction has come from there.
Pakistanis have always supported Afghanistan in difficult situations and have also embraced their Afghan brothers with open arms, despite this, the irresponsible attitude of the Afghan Government is beyond understanding. Zabihullah Mujahid, the main spokesman of the Afghanistan Administration has said, in a message, on the social media platforms that the treatment of Afghan refugees in Pakistan is unacceptable. Pakistan should review its policy in this regard. Afghan citizens have no hand in Pakistan’s security issues, until the Afghan refugees leave Pakistan willingly and contentedly, Pakistan should be patient.
This statement of the Afghan Administration spokesman is very important but he must also understand that no country allows any foreigner to stay in their country illegally. The Afghan brothers who are legally residing in Pakistan should not worry but the illegal immigrants should go back now. How long will Pakistan continue to bear the burden of Afghan immigrants and ignore their anti-national activities? Pakistan can no longer withstand the growing anti-national activities of illegal immigrants, however, not only the Pakistan Government will have to adopt an extremely cautious attitude but also take the Afghan administration into confidence.
Strangely, Pakistanis have been providing all the facilities to the Afghan refugees and in return for this goodness, where they are facing the worst terrorism, they have to bear the non-cooperation of the Afghan Government as well. Pakistan has repeatedly provided the Afghan Government with evidence of the involvement of Afghan citizens in terrorist activities, instead of taking action against them and stopping border violations, the Afghan Government blames Pakistan. While the Afghan Government will have to review its attitude, the international community will also have to help Pakistan in this stance, otherwise this fire will destroy peace of the region as well as peace of the world.
Whether the world should support Pakistan for peace or not, Pakistan has to bring peace no matter what the Afghanistan Government says, the November 1st deadline set by the caretaker Government and national institutions to deport illegal immigrants should be strictly enforced. If still the illegal Afghans cannot be repatriated, then, perhaps, it will never be possible and because of this the dream of peace in the region will remain unfulfilled.
—The writer is a regular columnist, based in Lahore.
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