Islamabad:Pakistan's former envoy for Afghanistan Asif Durrani has emphasised the need for a balanced approach, recognising the distinction between security concerns and the legitimate presence of peaceful, long-settled Afghan businesspeople.
Mr Durrani was speaking at the Focus Group Discussion on “Policy options for balancing expulsions & rights of Afghans born/settled in Pakistan” organised by Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS).
Mr Durrani said we advocated streamlining these issues enabling Afghan businesspeople to open bank accounts and access basic services. He said that the international acknowledgement that there is now peace in Afghanistan serves as a pull factor for the repatriation of Afghans living in Pakistan. It is widely known, he said, that most Afghans here want to move to the US or Europe. However, after President Trump’s policy changes, that pathway is now blocked, and they are stuck in limbo.
He said this is not just Pakistan’s responsibility as a matter of fact the international community must share the onus. Therefore, the Afghans must raise their case at the international level, appealing to the broader international community to accommodate and help them, recognising them as political refugees. Pakistan should do its part, but so should others.
He said it is the responsibility of the current Afghan government to act responsibly, understand the gravity of the situation and make efforts that help Afghans. If they continue supporting TTP, BLA, etc., how can Pakistan accommodate Afghans here?
Dr Shoaib Suddle, former Federal Tax Ombudsperson, noted that under international law, deportation is justified on specific grounds like threat to public order, national security, espionage, terrorism, organised crime, overstaying a visa or fraudulent asylum claims. Otherwise, it becomes a human rights issue.
While we cannot ignore the threat TTP poses, we must welcome businesspersons and investors. We should make it easier for them to engage in business activities in Pakistan as it is a high risk for them to conduct transactions through friends.
Not everyone qualifies for citizenship, and even in the US, birthright citizenship is being reconsidered he said adding that where people are bringing money and investment, they should be treated as special cases.
Former ambassador, Maj Gen (r) Raza Muhammad said that Pakistan and Afghanistan are like Siamese twins and cannot be separated. He added that after the Taliban takeover, there was hope for peace but now that hope faded due to TTP, BLA, ISKP and other threats. We face enormous security challenges with terrorism hurting Pakistan’s economy, civilians and security forces, CPEC and Chinese interests etc.
To the Afghan business community he urged to use influence and pressurise your government to act for peace. Otherwise, regional economic stability is impossible. The participating Afghan businesspersons noted they lived in Pakistan for decades, with families established there. Their children were born and educated in Pakistan, speak only local languages and see the country as their home. They have built extensive businesses across Pakistan and beyond, pay taxes (some reportedly in the billions), employ Pakistani workers, and contribute significantly to the national economy. They said that a looming June 30 deadline to expel Afghans caused alarm as they fear losing everything - homes, businesses, loans and community ties.
Imtiaz Gul, Executive Director, CRSS, asked the participants if it was fair to conflate Afghan businesspeople with the issue of TTP. We may prioritise who should stay and who should go, he said.