Efforts underway to release Afghan refugees from Pakistani prisons; MoFA

KABUL, Jan. 02 – Following the reactions to the imprisonment of hundreds of Afghan refugees, including women and children, by the Pakistani government, the foreign ministry of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan says efforts are underway to release these immigrants from Pakistani prisons.

The deputy spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, Zia Ahmad Takal, emphasizes that so far, talks have been held with the officials of the Pakistani embassy in Kabul, Pakistan’s special representative for Afghanistan affairs and some other officials of this country about solving the problems of Afghan refugees in Pakistan.

Meanwhile international organizations supporting human rights and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees have also expressed concern about situation of imprisoned refugees and demanded their immediate release from the Pakistani government.

“The problems between Afghanistan and Pakistan should be resolved through negotiations. Our demand from Iran and Pakistan is not to politicize the issues of immigrants and their rights should be in accordance with international laws and Islam,” said Mohammad Arsala Kharoti, the Deputy Minister of Refugees and Repatriations.

Pakistan’s National Human Rights Commission said in its report that at least 139 Afghan women and 165 children are being held in Karachi’s women’s prison.