The Taliban government has urged the new Pakistani government to prioritize good relations between the two countries and to treat Afghan refugees in accordance with law and principles.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid made the statements in an interview with National Radio and Television of Afghanistan following the election of Pakistan’s People’s Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari as president. Mr. Zardari has previously served as president.
Last week, Shahbaz Sharif was elected as Pakistan’s Prime Minister for a second term.
Mujahid urged Pakistan to focus on internal security: “We hope that the new government in Pakistan will improve order, security, and peace. We also hope they will prioritize maintaining good relations between our countries.”
The Taliban spokesperson called on Pakistan to avoid policies of “force and reluctance” against Afghan refugees. He expressed hope for improved economic ties and transportation facilities between the countries.
Last year, Pakistan set October 31st as the deadline for Afghan refugees without legal residence documents to leave the country. Many Afghan families were forcibly deported, facing harsh winter conditions and limited resources upon their return to Afghanistan. Since then, more than half a million Afghan refugees have been forcibly repatriated.
These deportations have drawn criticism from human rights organizations, including the UN, who accused Pakistani officials, particularly corrupt police, of mistreatment, unlawful arrests, harassment, and extortion of Afghan refugees.
In 2023, former Pakistani Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar and other officials accused Afghan refugees of contributing to insecurity in Pakistan, a claim disputed by international human rights organizations. The Taliban government in Afghanistan reacted at the time, calling Pakistan’s accusations baseless.
Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid recently emphasized the need for positive diplomatic and economic relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Relations between the Taliban government and Pakistan have been strained in recent years. Disputes have occasionally led to border closures at the Torkham and Spin Boldak crossings along the Durand Line, sometimes even resulting in exchanges of fire between Afghan and Pakistani security forces. These crossings are vital trade and transit routes between the two countries.