Protest for Pakistanis detained in Afghanistan
Afghan refugees wait with their belongings to cross into Afghanistan at the Friendship Gate of the Chaman Border Crossing in Balochistan. Photo: REUTERS
In a fervent protest on Friday at Torkham, Khyber tribal district in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), a significant number of locals gathered to demand the release of Pakistani nationals detained by the Afghan government.
The protesters urged Pakistani authorities to address the issue of seized passports by engaging with Kabul, facilitating the swift return of their compatriots to Pakistan.
Expressing frustration, a protester conveyed that numerous Pakistanis, who had entered Afghanistan with proper visas, now find themselves stranded on the Afghan side of the border. The escalating tensions between the two neighboring countries, fueled by a surge in terrorist attacks in Pakistan, have contributed to the predicament.
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The protester emphasized the need for the Afghanistan government to avoid decisions that create hardships for Pakistani laborers on their side. He warned of a potential reciprocal response from Islamabad, which could impede the travel of Afghans with valid visas to Pakistan.
Slogans against the Afghan Taliban reverberated through the protest, with participants decrying the detention of Pakistanis for three days at the crossing without apparent justification.
The situation highlights the urgency for diplomatic interventions to resolve border issues and ensure the smooth passage of individuals with valid travel documentation.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 11th, 2023.