Pakistani Senator: Life for Afghan Intellectuals Under Taliban Rule Has Become Extremely Difficult
Jan Muhammad Balidi, the parliamentary leader of the National Party in Pakistan’s Senate, has stated that life for intellectuals, dissidents, and progressive groups in Afghanistan has become seriously difficult under Taliban rule.
The Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported on Tuesday, December 22, that the senator made these remarks after meeting with a number of Afghan refugees in Pakistan. According to him, living with dignity is practically impossible for individuals holding intellectual views in present-day Afghanistan.
Balidi added that families being repatriated from Pakistan to Afghanistan face direct threats from the Taliban administration; these threats are particularly targeted at those who previously worked in media, education, and training sectors.
Based on the report, the delegation of Afghan refugees informed National Party leaders during the meeting about the widespread problems faced by Afghan families, especially women, currently living in Pakistan. They stated that Taliban’s restrictions and strict policies have created an atmosphere of pervasive fear.
The Pakistani senator emphasized that despite the strained relations between Islamabad and the Taliban administration due to ongoing terrorist incidents in Pakistan, officials should understand that many Afghan citizens have themselves been victims of these threats and have fled because of them.
Balidi also stated that Afghan refugees in Pakistan face the risk of police detention and, in some cases, demands for bribes. He noted that following increased tensions between the Taliban and Islamabad, the Pakistani police have intensified efforts to expel Afghan refugees.
