Pakistan Bans Afghan Entry into Peshawar during Eid, Muharram

In a move to ensure security, authorities in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province have banned Afghan refugees from entering the provincial capital Peshawar during the religious occasions of Eid al-Adha and Muharram, Khaama Press reported yesterday.

Capital City Police Chief Qasim Ali Khan stated that the entry ban was imposed to maintain safety during these festivals. Police will also conduct security audits of sensitive locations and places of worship.

Pakistan has frequently accused Afghanistan of orchestrating attacks within its borders, a claim rejected by the Taliban. Meanwhile, Pakistan has escalated the forced deportation of Afghan refugees, raising concerns amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

Human rights groups have criticized Pakistan’s actions, urging a more compassionate approach that considers the refugees’ safety and the severe instability in Afghanistan.