ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar Ul Haq Kakar on Wednesday said Pakistan had expectations that the interim Afghan government would take stern action against the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP); hhowever unfortunately, there had been 60 percent increase in terror acts in Pakistan since the establishment of interim Afghan government and the TTP operating from Afghanistan was behind those cowardly attacks.
“But unfortunately, after the establishment of the interim Afghan government, there has been a 60% increase in terror incidents and a 500% rise in suicide attacks in Pakistan,” Anwaar Ul Haq Kakar said while addressing a news conference in Islamabad.
The prime minister said regardless of assurances, the interim Afghan government hadn’t taken necessary measures against the terrorist outfits rather clear evidences had also surfaced of facilitating them.
Kakar demanded of the Afghan government to extradite Pakistanis residing illegally in Afghanistan and engaged in terrorist activities within Pakistan. He said the interim Afghan government must ensure the terrorist outfits do not use the Afghan soil for their sordid designs.
The interim premier pointed out that the region was at an important crossroads, emphasizing the need for mutual cooperation to root out terrorism.
Anwaar Ul Haq Kakar strongly regretted the threatening statements made by some Afghan leaders in the wake of Pakistan’s decision to repatriate illegal foreign nationals including Afghan nationals. He said those irresponsible and misleading statements were contributing to vitiating the environment.
The prime minister noted with concern the surge in terror acts in Pakistan following the Afghan statements.
Alluding to the generous hosting of millions of Afghans by Pakistan for over four decades, he said very statements on the part of Afghan leaders had hurt the sentiments of proud Pakistani people. He said their steps for repatriation of illegal foreign nationals including Afghans were neither unexpected nor surprising.
Kakar said those illegal aliens had the biggest role in stoking unrest in Pakistan. He said about 2,267 innocent Pakistanis had been killed in terror acts over the last two years.
Furthermore, he said the Afghan nationals were also involved in terror and suicide acts in Pakistan, adding that was the reason that the government decided to repatriate the illegal foreign nationals from November 01, 2023.
The prime minister maintained that Pakistan had the legal and moral prerogative to repatriate the illegal foreign nationals, stressing there would be no backtracking on this policy.
The interim prime minister also said all state institutions had made best possible arrangements at Torkham, Chaman and other border areas to ensure the dignified return of the illegal Afghan nationals. He said they also expected the interim Afghan government to take appropriate steps on the pattern of Pakistan on their side of the border for the facilitation of the returnees.
Kakar also highlighted that the registered Afghan refugees were free to live and do business in Pakistan.
Responding to a question, he said about 252,000 illegal aliens had voluntarily returned to their homeland, stressing they would encourage the voluntarily return in a dignified manner.
