A “worthy” return to chaos, according to Pakistan
Because nothing says “hospitality” like escorting 1.4 million people to the border with suitcases and broken dreams. The authorities of Pakistan, in an act of overflowing generosity, have decided to resume the forced deportations of Afghan refugees. The reason? Their registration cards—that magical document that allowed them not to be treated like alien invaders—expired in June. Of course, why give them time to sell their belongings or say goodbye, right?
Technical details of this “humanitarian operation”
In addition to the holders of those cards (which are now worth less than toilet paper), another 800,000 Afghans with Afghan Citizen Cards are also in the crosshairs. Because, let’s be clear, in Pakistan illegality is measured in passports, not decades of residence. Police are already in “hunt the migrant” mode, with random raids in Punjab, Balochistan and Sindh. Of course, according to commissioner Shakeel Khan, everything is done in a “dignified” way. Because nothing is more dignified than being pushed into a country ruled by the Taliban.
Meanwhile, the UN, that pest that always complains about details like “human rights”, has criticized the measure. Qaiser Khan Afridi, UNHCR spokesperson, warned that this amounts to refoulement (or, in Christian, “illegal return”). But who needs international laws when you have a government determined to clean up its backyard?
Stories that no one will read (but should)
Rehmat Ullah, a 35-year-old Afghan who has been in Peshawar for decades, summarizes the drama: “I was born here, my children were born here, and now we are leaving.” Their five children will lose their education, but hey, at least Pakistan will maintain its bureaucratic purity. Millions fled Afghanistan in recent decades because of war and misery, but now the message is clear: “Get out, the Titanic has already sunk.”.
The irony is that Pakistan was praised for years for hosting refugees. But, like any good host, there comes a time when you push the guests out… even if it’s by pushing. The Home Office, of course, has not commented. So that? When the strategy is “act now, ask questions later”, explanations are unnecessary.
As Afghanistan—that model of stability under the Taliban—prepares to welcome more than a million people, the entire region is crossing its fingers. Because what could go wrong?
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