Zafar Malik<\/p>\n
First Scene: It was September 4, 2021, just over two weeks since the Afghan Taliban had seized control of Kabul\u2019s government. In the lobby of Kabul\u2019s Five-Star Hotel, a sudden commotion stirred the atmosphere. A brisk and smartly dressed figure, General Faiz Hamid, the head of Pakistan\u2019s premier intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), held a warm cup of tea in his hands. With each sip, he exuded an undeniable air of confidence. Also present in the lobby was Pakistan\u2019s ambassador to Kabul, Mansoor Ahmed Khan. As curious bystanders inquired about the purpose of the General\u2019s presence, he responded with unwavering assurance, saying, \u201cDon\u2019t worry, everything will be fine soon.\u201d
\nHowever, in the days to come, it became apparent that Pakistan\u2019s Afghan policy was adopting a terrifying turn, resembling a nightmare. After the events of September 4, those observing the conduct of the Afghan Taliban residing in Pakistan began to regret the treatment meted out to them, thinking, \u201cI wish it hadn\u2019t come to this.\u201d
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\nSecond Scene: Exactly two years later, on September 4, 2023, Pakistan\u2019s vigilant Prime Minister Anwar Ul Haq Kakar was engaged in a discussion with foreign correspondents in Islamabad. Confident and articulate, he hinted at strong support from Rawalpindi\u2019s establishment. He was asked about the Pakistani government\u2019s plans regarding the latest influx of migrants, particularly those who had arrived following the Taliban\u2019s assumption of power in Afghanistan. Without hesitation, Prime Minister Kakar responded at length, surpassing expectations. He emphasised assuring action against illegal Afghan migrants, providing legal documentation, and repatriating those without proper paperwork. In the subsequent days, armed attacks on Pakistan\u2019s forces from Afghanistan surged, shifting from daily incidents to multiple assaults per day. Pakistani soldiers faced relentless militant retaliation, while Kabul demanded an end to these activities within Pakistan\u2019s borders. Kabul warned that if the attacks continued, they would consider the internally based Pakistani Taliban responsible, viewing it as Pakistan\u2019s internal problem rather than a refugee situation in Afghanistan.
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\nThird Scene: On September 6th, as Pakistan celebrated its Defense Day and paid homage to its martyrs, armed individuals from Afghanistan\u2019s Nuristan province launched a severe attack on a Pakistani armed forces camp in Chitral. Pakistan\u2019s security forces responded, eventually regaining control after several days. Interestingly, the Kabul government distanced itself from this incident, regarding it as Pakistan\u2019s internal matter. Yet, this incident prompted Pakistan\u2019s strategic policymakers to take decisive action.
\nFourth Scene: On October 3rd, under the leadership of Prime Minister Anwar Ul Haq Kakar, a meeting of the National Action Plan Apex Committee was held, which was also attended by the Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir. Announcing the decisions made in the meeting, Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti stated that Afghan nationals residing in Pakistan without proper documentation were being warned to leave the country before November 1st. Failure to comply would result in legal action, and they would be forcefully repatriated to Afghanistan.
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\nWith this announcement, law enforcement agencies sprang into action. Within approximately 24 hours, around 1,100 Afghan nationals, who were found to lack proper documentation, were taken into custody. It was noted that not only were these individuals lacking proper documentation, but many of them were also identified as being involved in street crimes and terrorism-related activities, carrying Afghan nationality officially. Undocumented Afghans fall under Pakistan\u2019s 1946 Foreigners Act provisions, while ACC holders and those with protection concerns can seek UNHCR assistance.
\nFurthermore, a fourth category includes Afghans who arrived in Pakistan after August 2021, estimated at approximately 600,000 by the government. In the current circumstances, among the people who are likely to be deported from Pakistan, more than a million individuals include approximately 600,000 who entered Pakistan without proper documentation or whose visas have expired after August 2021, and there is no possibility of their return. Most of them wish to relocate to Europe or America, but currently, that seems highly improbable.
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\nOn September 5th, Pakistani and Afghan forces clashed at the Chaman border, where Pakistani forces demonstrated restraint. However, this incident points to increasing pressure on militant groups, suggesting their increasing audacity. In these challenging circumstances, Pakistan must adopt a diplomatic approach meticulously calibrated to navigate the strained relationships with Europe, America, and Middle Eastern political powers. This diplomatic strategy aims to exert pressure on the Kabul regime by aligning with international forces, compelling them to acknowledge their international responsibilities, and avoiding entanglement in any new conflicts.
\nLast Scene: On September 5, 2023, sitting at the negotiating table in Tibet, Pakistan\u2019s Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani and Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, both caretakers, are discussing an extremely challenging situation facing both countries. The outcome is crystal clear.<\/p>\n
Courtesy Daily The Nation<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Zafar Malik First Scene: It was September 4, 2021, just over two weeks since the Afghan Taliban had seized control of Kabul\u2019s government. In the lobby of Kabul\u2019s Five-Star Hotel, a sudden commotion stirred the atmosphere. A brisk and smartly dressed figure, General Faiz Hamid, the head of Pakistan\u2019s premier intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[13014],"class_list":{"0":"post-360848","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-article","7":"tag-zafar-malik"},"yoast_head":"\n