Afghanistan's Taliban authorities on Monday asked the United States to act responsibly as it prepares to deport Afghan immigrants. Foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi voiced "serious concern" over reports that Washington would send some Afghans to Pakistan. They have no legal residency documents there. The aim is for them to end up back in Afghanistan, The Standard reported.
More than 150 Afghans in the US are expected to be deported, The New York Times reported on October 30. It said the first flight could leave as soon as Monday. According to Daily Maverick, the deportations will go through Pakistan because Washington has no diplomatic ties with the Taliban government. Anonymous US officials told The New York Times that Pakistan will oversee the expulsions to Afghanistan.
Those expected to be deported include relatives of Afghans who helped the US military before the fall of Kabul in 2021. That is according to AfghanEvac, a group that helps former Afghan allies. Advocacy groups warn that removing former allies and their families could put their lives at risk.
Balkhi urged Washington to take a "responsible and measured approach". He said any decision on the fate of Afghan citizens should come with mutual understanding and coordination. The ministry said Kabul was ready to engage constructively with Washington on the issue. It also warned that "third countries should not treat the citizens of another country as a matter of bargaining in exchange for limited temporary concessions or other considerations", Daily Maverick reported.
After returning to power, the Taliban announced a general amnesty for Afghans who worked with Western-backed forces and governments. This year they repeated promises that former foes could return home safely. However, the United Nations has recorded reports of extrajudicial killings, detentions and abuses. Last year President Donald Trump's administration issued travel bans covering several countries, including Afghanistan. It also sought to end deportation protections for Afghans, some of whom received special immigrant visas after the 2021 takeover.
Earlier this year Pakistan ordered law enforcement nationwide to arrest Afghans without visas. A years-long repatriation policy has pushed millions of Afghans back across the border. Relations between the two neighbours worsened after deadly border clashes last October, The Standard reported. Islamabad accuses Kabul of harbouring militants who stage cross-border attacks. Kabul denies this. Germany and Turkey have deported Afghans directly to Afghanistan in recent years, despite concerns from rights groups.