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| Influx of refugees from Afghanistan has added to Pakistan's problems [Getty Images] |
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Pakistan has ordered the deportation of about 50,000 Afghan refugees from a troubled tribal region amid a major military offensive against al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters.
The government said it was expelling all Afghan refugees in the Bajaur tribal region, alleging many of them have links to armed groups.
Police in the town of Khar in Bajaur arrested 25 Afghans and said they would soon be deported.
"The orders have been issued to the tribal police to push all of them [refugees] out," Abdul Haseeb, a local government official, said on Monday, adding that their homes would be bulldozed to keep them from returning.
A government offensive in Bajaur that began in early August has claimed some 1,000 lives.
It comes amid increased US pressure on the government of Asif Ali Zardari, the Pakistani president, to crackdown on armed groups in the restive border region where al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is believed to be hiding.
Washington has long complained Pakistan is unwilling or unable to take strong action against the armed fighters.
Pakistani pledge
Zardari has pledged his co-operation in the US 'war on terror', but he must tread carefully given strong domestic opposition to his country's alliance with Washington.
This balancing act has become increasingly complicated because of increasing US missile attacks against suspected al-Qaeda and Taliban hide-outs in Pakistan's northwest and more recently by Zadari's comments to The Wall Street Journal suggesting he had consented to the strikes.
"We have an understanding, in the sense that we're going after an enemy together," the newspaper quoted him as saying on Saturday.
On Monday, Farhatullah Babar, a Pakistani government spokesman, insisted there was no deal allowing the US to fire missiles at targets in Pakistan, saying the journalist had read too much into Zardari's comment and that the president was talking in generalities about fighting terrorism.
"The official position is that we do not allow foreign incursions into Pakistani territory," Babar said.
In the latest in a string of bombings against government, military and Western targets in Pakistan, a suicide bomber attacked a legislator's home in the east of the country on Monday, killing 15 people and wounding 50.
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Feedback |
Number of comments : 7 |
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David
Canada |
07/10/2008 |
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Pakistan to deport Afghan refugees |
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The United Nations accepts Afghans as refugees yet Pakistan is refusing to allow them to stay in a safer place, NOT, Pakistan is never safe and never will be safe from now on. The chance is giving to the Afghan People from the United Nations to prosper to other nations for a better future. Pakistan is doing everything it can to stop that.
Pakistan is taking a role of using the Afghans against Afghanistan. Training them in Pakistan and then deport them back as Refugees, very smart idea. |
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SAINTCUTE
Pakistan |
07/10/2008 |
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Refugees ? |
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Pakistanis accepted UN & international community's request and above all with the feeling of muslim brethern accomodated the affected afghans in their country hoping that they will return when the situation is calmed but regrettably ,things became worse ,like economic burden is out of control moreover these refugees with the support & encouragement of militants started suicidal activities.Its about time ,they should go back..enough is enough ! |
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Umar
United Kingdom |
07/10/2008 |
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Pakistan to deport refugees |
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This is a typical knee jerk reaction to a socio-political issue that the Pakistani government is too inexperienced to handle. Snapping under American pressure, Zardari has decided to utilise the age old whip of collective punishment find the solutions. This will amplify the collective hatred against the Pakistani-American alliance and will further alienate the impoverished communities of the border. 'Pass the bucket' strategy cannot find long term solutions. The resentment will just relocate. |
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muhammad
Nigeria |
08/10/2008 |
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pakistan to deport afghans... |
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When you have a corrupt,anti-muslim,pro-western puppet or puppy at the head of a nation like pakistan,justice is doomed...Pakistani authorities are anti-Pakistanis with their thwarted mispolitics. |
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Um Aaliyah
United States |
07/10/2008 |
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Concentration Camps |
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I can't beleive that yet again the "Powers that Be", allow such a similar incident like that of Palestine. Demolition of homes, the expelling of residents, mind you they may not hold Pakistani citizenship, but where is the compassion?? The word "refugee" should not even exist in this day and age!! How coward of a human race we are to use Politics, alleged "Terrorism" as a means to test how far we can destroy a culture and race. How much longer will people allow this evil to occur!!! God help us! |
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Um Aaliyah
United States |
07/10/2008 |
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True Terrorists |
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I am so sick of hearing "Osama bin Laden", my house burned, "Osama bin Laden"... What about true Terror and Terrorists: ZIONISM, AIPAC, Theodore Herzl, Menachim Begin, Bush, Cheney, Rice (CON-daleeza), Olmert, Sharon, the list goes on and on. Again, American's step up to the plate and EDUCATE yourself and realize that sex, drugs, and rock and roll are really not true forms of Freedom, but Opression for lack of an EDUCATION!!! |
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Walter
United States |
08/10/2008 |
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Pakistan to deport Afghan Refugees |
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If Pakistan is willing to return the refugees back to Afghanistan then Pakistan must also consider a contract that expired in 1994 called "The Durand Line" and return that land back to Afghanistan.
The Pakistan people are wonderful people but the governemtn is a two headed snake that swings both ways with the terrorists and the so called war on terror.
I think the best way to stabelise Afghanistan is to deploy more troops and conduct serious operations to root out terrorists in Pakistan. |
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