Afghanistan Times
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KABUL — Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Kabul on Saturday for high-level talks with Taliban officials as Islamabad intensifies the deportation of undocumented Afghans. His visit comes as more than 85,000 Afghans — over half of them children — have been expelled in just over two weeks.
Pakistan has launched the second phase of a mass repatriation campaign, aiming to evict over 800,000 Afghans whose residence permits were revoked, many of whom have lived in Pakistan for decades. Deputy Interior Minister Tallal Chaudhry warned Friday there would be “no leniency” on the April deadline.
Dar was welcomed at Kabul airport by Taliban deputy foreign minister Mohammad Naeem. He is expected to meet Taliban Prime Minister Hasan Akhund and other officials during his one-day visit.
The United Nations reports nearly three million Afghans have sought refuge in Pakistan. Many of those now returning face uncertain futures in a country where women and girls are barred from most education and employment opportunities.
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have surged over cross-border militancy. Islamabad accuses Kabul of harboring militants — a claim the Taliban denies.
