Afghanistan cricketer Ibrahim Zadran, who won the player of the match award for his splendid performance with the bat against Pakistan in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, created a flutter by dedicating his award to refugees from Afghanistan who were "sent back" to the country by Pakistan. The comment immediately became a talking point with fans taking potshots at Pakistan over the remark by Zadran on social media. The comment by the player also highlighted the plight of 3,248 Afghan refugees who were recently returned by Pakistan in one day in the name of " combating illegal immigration."
Pakistan returns 3,248 Afghan refugees to Afghanistan
Pakistan recently announced that it would send back 3,248 Afghan refugees to Afghanistan in one day as part of its efforts to fight illegal immigration. The deadline for the expulsion of undocumented migrants has already led to over 51,000 Afghan nationals being deported after the announcement.
Pakistan has a dedicated wing to identify and take steps when it comes to the presence of illegal immigrants in the Balochistan province. Despite international appeals, the Pakistani government remains determined to expel Afghan migrants, reported news agency ANI.
UNHCR on Afghan Refugee Crisis
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, dedicating to protecting the lives of the refugees, mentions, "more than 1.6 million Afghans have fled the country since 2021, bringing the total number of Afghans in neighbouring countries to 8.2 million - accounting for one of the largest protracted refugee situations in the world."
The agency also informs how "after more than four decades of conflict and instability in Afghanistan, an estimated 28.3 million Afghans - two-thirds of the population, including women and girls - are in need of humanitarian and protection assistance."
