Pakistan should release 300 Afghans detained in jails

Kabul: The Taliban has demanded Pakistan release 300 Afghans locked up in Pakistan’s jails for several months. The Taliban has complained that Pakistan had arrested Afghan dependents on the pretext of insufficient documents. But Pakistan journalists have appealed that Pakistan’s government and army should not accept this demand of the Taliban. These journalists say that these Afghans should not be released if the Taliban is to be kept under control.

Hafiza Zia Ahmad Takal, the deputy spokesperson of the Taliban regime’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, released information about Afghans in Pakistan jails through a video. A squad of Taliban in Afghanistan’s embassy in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad is trying to secure the release of 300 people after discussing with Pakistani authorities. It is claimed that these Afghans held in Pakistani jails comprise many women and children. Takal said they have succeeded in rescuing some of them, and efforts are on to rescue others.

These Afghans, who were arrested from different parts of Pakistan, were detained by the Pakistani security agencies, alleging that they did not have sufficient documents. Besides, the deputy spokesperson of the Taliban has complained that the fine imposed by Pakistan on the Afghans is very much, and the Afghans do not have the financial capacity to pay it. Deputy Spokesperson Takal also alleged that some Pakistani officials had taken advantage of this. Some leaders in Pakistan have also criticised the treatment Afghans receive.

At least 1.5 to 2 million Afghan refugees are claimed to live in Pakistan. After the Taliban took over Afghanistan last year, millions of Afghans fled to neighbouring countries. Pakistani authorities had informed that more than a hundred thousand Afghans had entered Pakistan through the border. There has been a growing demand in Pakistan that these Afghans should be expelled. As fuel, financial, and food crises loom over Pakistan, demands are being made by ordinary Pakistanis to repatriate Afghans.

But some journalists in Pakistan have suggested the government of Pakistan accept their demands by detaining the Afghans. These Pakistani journalists say these Afghans should be used to successfully negotiate with the Durand Line and Tehrik-i-Taliban (TTP).