Media365
The Afghan Taliban government on Monday urged the United States to “act responsibly” while deporting Afghan immigrants back home, saying Kabul was prepared to engage constructively with Washington on the issue, news agency Reuters reported.The statement came amid plans by US President Donald Trump’s administration to deport some Afghan immigrants to Afghanistan, according to a US official and a coalition of veterans and advocacy groups cited by Reuters on Friday.“The Afghan side is prepared, while understanding the existing realities and taking into consideration the legitimate interests of both sides, to engage constructively and on the basis of mutual understanding in this regard,” the Afghan Taliban foreign ministry said in a statement.More than 150 Afghan immigrants are expected to be deported, the New York Times reported on Friday, adding that the first flight could take place as early as Monday.The deportations are expected to be routed through Pakistan, as Washington cannot directly arrange deportations to Afghanistan due to its lack of diplomatic ties with the Taliban government.“Third countries should not treat the citizens of another country as a matter of bargaining in exchange for limited temporary concessions or other considerations”, the Afghan statement said.Pakistan and Afghanistan have been at odds over militant attacks, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of harbouring militants who stage cross-border attacks. Kabul has denied the charge.
