Tension between Pakistan and the Taliban: Dozens of Afghan Immigrants Arrested

Concurrently with the closure of the Torkham crossing due to the border conflict between the Taliban and Pakistani forces, dozens of Afghan migrants have been detained in Pakistan. Analysts contend that these arrests stem from the recent border dispute.

In light of this conflict, the Torkham border crossing has been shut to passengers and commercial traffic for six days. Hundreds, including patients and even deceased individuals, are stranded at the border. Beyond passengers, hundreds of tons of fruits and vegetables in trucks are rotting on both sides.

While local Taliban officials in Nangarhar province claimed that Ismatullah Yaqub, the Taliban commissioner in Torkham, engaged in a two-hour discussion with Pakistani authorities about reopening the Torkham crossing on Sunday, the Taliban ambassador in Pakistan told DW that these discussions have not yet yielded a resolution.

Sardar Ahmed Shakib, the Taliban ambassador in Islamabad, stated, “The Pakistani side pledged to communicate our request to their leaders and to reopen the route… but no action has been taken as of now.”

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry asserted that the border conflict arose from the Taliban’s attempt to establish a pistachio orchard on the Pakistani side of the border. However, the Taliban countered by saying their aim was only to restore an old pistachio orchard.

Detention of Afghan Immigrants Amid Escalating Tensions

In the backdrop of this, there have been reports of increased Pakistani police pressure on Afghan migrants. Since the Taliban’s rise to power, tens of thousands of Afghans have migrated to Pakistan in the past two years.

Manze Kakar, who advocates for Afghan immigrants in Pakistan, confirmed that Pakistani police arrested over 120 Afghan immigrants on Sunday.

The Taliban’s ambassador in Pakistan also acknowledged these arrests, noting that as political and security tensions intensify, Afghan immigrants face heightened pressure in Pakistan.

He elaborated, “Tensions between governments should not impact the lives of ordinary citizens. Afghan immigrants residing here, or those seeking medical treatment, should not be harassed or detained by the police.”

Sardar Ahmad Shakib, the Taliban ambassador in Islamabad, mentioned that hundreds of Afghan migrants, including women and children, have been detained by Pakistani police due to lack of legal residency documents. In response, they have petitioned the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Pakistani Authorities’ Warning to Afghan Immigrants

Authorities in Sindh province have accused Afghan nationals of causing insecurity and crimes in the region, calling for their immediate deportation. Previously, Pakistani officials implicated Afghans in the terrorist attacks executed in the country.