UN calls for end to Pakistan’s forced deportation of Afghan refugees

By Fidel Rahmati

Khaama Press

 

UN experts have called for an immediate halt to the deportation of Afghan migrants from Pakistan, stressing that such actions violate international human rights and refugee laws.

On Friday, April 4, the UN issued a press statement emphasizing the need for sustainable solutions for Afghan migrants and greater support from the international community.

The statement urged Pakistan to immediately stop internal relocations, deportations, detentions, threats, and other forms of pressure on Afghan migrants.

Experts expressed concern about the current situation of Afghan refugees in Pakistan, particularly highlighting the vulnerabilities of children—especially unaccompanied minors—who are at risk of human trafficking, early marriage, and abuse. Disabled individuals, the elderly, and other marginalized groups are also at heightened risk.

The UN officials noted that women, LGBTQ individuals, ethnic and religious minorities, former government officials, security personnel, human rights defenders, and media workers are among the most vulnerable groups in this crisis.

Additionally, the reduction in international aid has weakened humanitarian organizations and the Taliban regime’s capacity to assist returning migrants.

Meanwhile, the ongoing forced deportations of Afghan migrants from Iran and Pakistan have sparked serious reactions. Recently, the Pakistani police reported the arrest of over 16,000 Afghan migrants with citizen cards (ACC) in Karachi, with more than 150 migrants detained so far.

Pakistan’s decision to continue deportations is affecting over 800,000 Afghan refugees, including those with citizenship cards, as well as undocumented migrants. The situation remains tense, and there are growing concerns about the safety and well-being of those involved.

UN calls for end to Pakistan’s forced deportation of Afghan refugees
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Pakistan urges UN to combat Afghanistan’s illicit arms trade

By Fidel Rahmati

Khaama Press

Pakistan has urged the UN Security Council to take action against the growing illicit arms trade flourishing in Afghanistan.

Pakistan has urged the United Nations Security Council to halt terrorists’ access to weapons in Afghanistan. The request comes amid rising concerns about the proliferation of arms to various militant groups.

Pakistani media reported on Saturday, April 5, that weapons have been supplied to the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Baloch Liberation Army, and the Brigades of Majid from Afghanistan. These groups are actively involved in insurgencies across Pakistan.

Sayed Atif Reza, a representative from Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, raised alarms at the UN Security Council about the increase in arms trafficking. He urged the council to take serious measures to curb the growing black market for weapons in Afghanistan.

This statement follows a report from a Geneva-based organization, which highlighted a surge in the illegal arms trade in eastern and border regions of Pakistan. The report documents a rise in both light and heavy weapon sales, particularly in areas affected by militancy.

The report, titled “Documenting Access to Weapons in Afghanistan,” sheds light on the continued arms trafficking in the region. It shows that weapons from the Soviet era and NATO are easily available in informal markets, posing a significant security threat.

The situation in Pakistan has been further complicated by the growing tension between the Taliban and Pakistan. Increased cross-border violence has led to a sharp rise in casualties, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. March recorded the highest number of casualties in a decade, raising alarms about the stability of the region.

The escalation of militant activity in these regions has made security operations more challenging for Pakistani authorities. The Taliban’s growing influence in Afghanistan, coupled with its support for insurgents targeting Pakistan, is contributing to the destabilization of the border areas.

This ongoing conflict is straining Pakistan’s security forces, as the influx of weapons from Afghanistan exacerbates the situation. The situation calls for urgent international cooperation to curb the illegal arms trade and address the rising militant threats to Pakistan’s stability.

Pakistan urges UN to combat Afghanistan’s illicit arms trade
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Afghanistan Licenses Over 500 Tourism Companies in One Year

Simultaneously, the Union of Tourism Companies in Kabul has assured ongoing efforts to improve services for both domestic and foreign tourists.

The Ministry of Information and Culture has announced that more than 500 tourism companies have been granted operational licenses across the country over the past year.

Khubaib Ghufran, spokesperson for the ministry, stated that the objective behind issuing these licenses is to promote the tourism industry and support the growth of the private sector.

He explained: “To provide better services to tourists and boost the private sector in the tourism and travel industry, the Ministry of Information and Culture has issued new licenses to 539 tourism companies over the past year. Among these, 25 companies renewed their previous licenses, while the remaining businesses have started operations for the first time.”

Simultaneously, the Union of Tourism Companies in Kabul has assured ongoing efforts to improve services for both domestic and foreign tourists.

Ahmad Sair Rahimi, head of the Tourism Companies Union, stated: “More than 5,000 foreign nationals have visited Afghanistan to explore its tourist attractions. I am hopeful, and my request to the government is to enhance the current facilities—especially by investing more in national parks and increasing public services for travelers.”

Abdul Shakoor Hadaawal, an economic affairs analyst, said: “Tourists who visit Afghanistan not only enjoy its historical landmarks, but their presence also creates employment opportunities for those who are currently jobless.”

Tourism companies in Afghanistan primarily operate in areas such as ticketing, visa services, and organizing tourism packages for both domestic and international travelers.

According to official statistics, in the solar year 1403, approximately 7,700 foreign tourists visited Afghanistan’s various archaeological sites and historical landmarks.

Afghanistan Licenses Over 500 Tourism Companies in One Year
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US Dismisses Prospect of Reopening Embassy in Kabul

The US National Security Council, told an American newspaper that Washington has made no commitment to transferring the Afghan embassy in Washington.

Following the interim Afghan government’s request for the United States to reopen its embassy in Kabul and to hand over the Afghan embassy in Washington to the Islamic Emirate, the US State Department has rejected the idea of reopening its diplomatic mission in Kabul.

According to the Washington Examiner, the US State Department spokesperson said: “The United States does not recognize any entity as the government of Afghanistan and therefore has no plans to allow for the reopening of its embassy.”

Janat Faheem Chakari, a political analyst, said: “Afghanistan is likely a third or fourth-tier priority for the US foreign policy towards Afghanistan remains unclear.”

Meanwhile, James Hewitt, spokesperson for the US National Security Council, told an American newspaper that Washington has made no commitment to transferring the Afghan embassy in Washington.

He said: “We have made no commitments regarding the Afghan Embassy in Washington, and there are no discussions underway concerning the status of the US Embassy compound in Kabul.”

Mohammad Aslam Danishmal, a political affairs expert, said: “The interim Afghan government must seriously focus on its internal affairs to escape global isolation and pave the way for engagement with major powers.”

Gol Mohammaduddin Mohammadi, another political analyst, commented: “Until political consensus is reached on key issues, discussions about matters like reopening embassies are unrealistic.”

The US rejection comes after a spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate had previously stated that the matter of reopening the US embassy in Kabul and transferring the Afghan embassy in Washington to the interim government had been discussed with a US delegation visiting Kabul, and that they were awaiting a response from Washington.

US Dismisses Prospect of Reopening Embassy in Kabul
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Intl Mine Awareness Day: Afghanistan’s Silent Emergency

Meanwhile, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan announced that children are the main victims of leftover landmine explosions in the country.

On the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, the United Nations has emphasized the importance of raising awareness, prevention, and mine clearance.

Afghanistan is considered one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to the dangers posed by mines, and thousands of people—especially children—continue to be harmed by the explosion of leftover explosive materials.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) announced that children are the main victims of leftover landmine explosions in the country.

The International Committee of the Red Cross also stated that in 2024 more than 560 people, including 434 children, have died in Afghanistan due to landmine and unexploded ordnance explosions.

Nooruddin Rustamkhail, head of mine action coordination and clearance, said: “Afghanistan is one of the countries most globally contaminated with mines and unexploded ordnance. Currently, up to 60 people per month in Afghanistan fall victim to mines and unexploded ordnance, most of whom are children.”

“Some vulnerable individuals and groups such as children, farmers, shepherds, and rural residents who are unaware of the dangers of mines are the victims in Afghanistan,” said Asadullah Nadim, a military analyst.

Zaheda, a six-year-old girl, encountered leftover explosive material seven months ago in Ghazni province and lost one of her legs due to its explosion.

Speaking about the incident, she said: “I brought the object home, and when the children pulled it from me, it suddenly exploded and I lost my leg.”

The United Nations designated April 4 as the “International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action” in 2005 to highlight the importance of mine awareness, prevention, and clearance every year.

António Guterres, secretary-general of the United Nations, stated that more than 100 million people worldwide are at risk from landmines and remnants of war explosives.

Intl Mine Awareness Day: Afghanistan’s Silent Emergency
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Millions of Afghans lose access to healthcare services as USAID cuts shut clinics

and Zahra Ahad

More than 200 health facilities run by the World Health Organization in Afghanistan, providing medical care for 1.84 million people, have closed or ceased operating after the US aid cuts announced by the Trump administration shut off life-saving medical care, including vaccinations, maternal and child health services.

On his first day in office in January, President Donald Trump announced an immediate freeze on all US foreign assistance, including more than $40bn (£32bn) for international projects coming from USAID, the United States Agency for International Development. It was later confirmed that more than 80% of USAID programmes had been cancelled.

In Afghanistan, where health clinics have closed in 28 out of 34 provinces, this is leading to an “escalating humanitarian crisis”, according to the WHO, with the country already grappling with poverty and outbreaks of diseases such as measles, malaria and polio.

Ajyal Sultany, head of communications at WHO in Afghanistan, said: “The closure of health facilities is compounding these crises, with displaced and marginalised communities facing heightened risks of disease, malnutrition, and inadequate medical care.”

In the worst-affected regions – north, west and north-east Afghanistan – more than a third of health clinics have now shut down, according to the WHO, with another 220 health facilities expected to close by June due to a lack of funding.

In some rural areas, the clinics were the only access the local population had to health services. The problem is compounded by the Taliban’s restrictions on women travelling without a male relative as a “guardian”.

Abdul*, a coordinator for health projects in Herat, western Afghanistan, told the Guardian that his organisation had been forced to close 23 of its facilities, including mobile health teams, after it lost funding in January. It had relied on support from international organisations.

“These clinics were located in remote areas of Herat province in nine districts where people did not have access to health services. We covered a population of nearly 120,000, including many women and children, and at least 20,000 new and expecting mothers.

“We were able to secure some funding from a different source and temporarily resume four of the clinics,” he said, but most of the people they help remain without any healthcare services.

Abdul said local populations had appealed to doctors and healthcare workers to keep the clinics open. “Since the closure, people from these communities have been reaching out to us through religious leaders and shuras [gatherings of tribal elders] asking us to reopen clinics.

“Unfortunately, we have to tell them, with all transparency, that there is little we can do now,” he said.

The WHO said the availability of healthcare for Afghans may now worsen even further. “The termination of US funding may lead other donors to scale back or withdraw their humanitarian assistance,” Sultany said. “This would further exacerbate operational challenges and reduce the capacity to deliver life-saving services.”

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) confirmed it had been forced to close two community resource centres that had been providing housing, food and other support to internally displaced Afghans, with a further two at risk of closure.

“I want to emphasise that NRC Afghanistan is not shutting down its operations,” said Suze van Meegen, NRC’s interim director in Afghanistan, but she added: “Due to United States funding suspensions and cuts, NRC has been forced to end some of its programming in Afghanistan.”

*Name changed

Millions of Afghans lose access to healthcare services as USAID cuts shut clinics
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WFP assists 9 million Afghans, calls for immediate funding to sustain vital aid programs

Khaama Press

The World Food Programme (WFP) provided lifesaving assistance to over 9 million Afghans last year, highlighting the urgent need for continued funding.

The World Food Program (WFP) reported that it provided life-saving aid to over nine million people in Afghanistan in the past year. As part of its ongoing efforts, the WFP continues to focus on addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people. The organization highlighted that Afghanistan remains at the center of its mission, with ongoing support tailored to the population’s most urgent needs.

WFP emphasized the importance of listening to the voices of the Afghan people, underscoring the necessity of their feedback in shaping the delivery of aid. Through a video posted on social media on Thursday, April 3, the organization reinforced its commitment to ensuring that Afghanistan’s citizens receive the necessary assistance.

Despite these efforts, the WFP warned of potential disruptions to its critical programs due to funding shortfalls. The organization urgently requires $555 million to sustain its activities in Afghanistan for the next six months. Without this support, key programs, including emergency food aid, nutrition treatment, and vocational training for women, face serious jeopardy.

Among the most vulnerable groups are pregnant and breastfeeding women, with 1.2 million of them currently suffering from malnutrition. The WFP is calling for immediate intervention to provide essential food assistance and nutritional support to these women, who are at risk of severe health consequences without it.

In addition to the nutrition challenges faced by women, the WFP also highlighted the broader crisis affecting the population. Currently, one-third of Afghanistan’s population depends on emergency food assistance to survive. These urgent needs reflect the ongoing challenges the country faces in addressing widespread food insecurity.

The World Food Program’s call for continued financial support is critical not only to alleviate hunger but also to combat the long-term effects of malnutrition in Afghanistan. As the situation remains dire, the WFP urges international donors to contribute to sustaining life-saving programs in the country.

WFP assists 9 million Afghans, calls for immediate funding to sustain vital aid programs
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Canada warns citizens against travel to Afghanistan due to security risks

By Fidel Rahmati

Khaama Press

Canada has warned its citizens against traveling to Afghanistan due to ongoing violence, kidnappings, arbitrary arrests, and human rights violations.

The Canadian government issued a warning on Tuesday, urging its citizens to avoid travel to Afghanistan due to escalating security concerns. The government highlighted the risks posed by ongoing armed conflicts, terrorist attacks, and the increasing frequency of abductions and arbitrary detentions.

In a public statement, Canada described the security situation in Afghanistan as chaotic, emphasizing the dangers posed by terrorism, violent clashes, and widespread human rights violations under the de facto Taliban authorities. The government warned that despite the Taliban’s claims, the security environment remains volatile and unsafe.

The statement further noted that Canadians currently in Afghanistan should consider relocating to safer areas if possible. It advised individuals to review their personal security plans and exercise heightened caution in the face of widespread criminal activity and state-led human rights abuses.

Canada also highlighted that its ability to provide consular assistance in Afghanistan is extremely limited, given the closure of its embassy following the Taliban’s return to power. The government reminded citizens that even if assistance is requested, there may be delays or an inability to provide timely support.

In addition to Canada, several other countries, including the United States, the UK, and Australia, have issued similar travel advisories, urging their citizens to avoid travel to Afghanistan due to the significant security threats posed by militant groups and the Taliban’s control over the country.

As the security situation deteriorates, the international community continues to grapple with the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the challenges of providing assistance to citizens stranded in Afghanistan. Governments are emphasizing the need for vigilance, advising citizens to stay informed and make necessary preparations for evacuation if needed.

Canada warns citizens against travel to Afghanistan due to security risks
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CNN: Islamic Emirate Seeking US Recognition, Diplomatic Ties

According to the article, the Islamic Emirate also asked for the opening of an office in the United States to provide consular services to Afghans.

CNN has reported in an article that officials from the Islamic Emirate, during a meeting with a US delegation in March—held to discuss the release of George Glazman—requested that Washington recognize the Islamic Emirate as the official government of Afghanistan.

According to the article, the Islamic Emirate also asked for the opening of an office in the United States to provide consular services to Afghans.

CNN wrote that since the return of Donald Trump to power, the Islamic Emirate has been actively seeking to establish better relations with the United States.

The article also referenced the removal of bounty offers for Sirajuddin Haqqani, the acting interior minister, and two other members of the interim government, noting that the US has taken steps in this regard.

CNN added that one American official told the ‘Taliban’: “Unconditional releases [equals] great relations with Trump. Clear out your holding cells – Trump will be free to work with you.”

Quoting sources familiar with the details of the meeting between the Islamic Emirate and the US delegation, the article stated that US officials told the interim government: “You need to be forthcoming and take a risk,” and “Do this, it will likely open up the door for better relationship.”

CNN: Islamic Emirate Seeking US Recognition, Diplomatic Ties
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Report: Afghanistan Can’t Fight Climate Change Alone

Toda Institute stated that Afghanistan is one of the ten countries most affected by climate change but lacks the necessary resources to counter it.

A Japanese organization named Toda Peace Institute has analyzed and reported on Afghanistan’s inability to effectively combat climate change.

Toda Institute stated that Afghanistan is one of the ten countries most affected by climate change but lacks the necessary resources to counter it.

The report states: “Afghanistan is among the ten countries that have historically received inadequate climate funding, alongside Chad, South Sudan, Somalia, Niger, Mali, Yemen, Ethiopia, Uganda and Iraq. These nations face acute climate risks, yet international climate financing mechanism has largely failed to provide them required funding.”

Citing the Afghanistan Analysts Network (AAN), the Toda Peace Institute estimated: “Climate-related economic losses in Afghanistan amount to $550 million in a normal year and exceed three $3 billion during severe droughts – equivalent to between almost 3.2% and more than 18% of the country’s GDP. This is staggering when compared to Afghanistan’s national budget of just $2.7 billion in 2023, barely enough to sustain basic government functions. Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) estimated that $1.7 billion would be needed for adaptation and mitigation between 2021 and 2030.”

After the Islamic Emirate’s rise to power and the decline in international engagement, obtaining global financial support has become nearly impossible for Afghanistan, according to the report.

The Japanese institute concluded that Afghanistan cannot rely solely on its internal resources, as the mining sector is underdeveloped and the infrastructure and legal frameworks for extraction are lacking.

Report: Afghanistan Can’t Fight Climate Change Alone
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