Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

More people cross Pakistan border as crisis deepens in Afghanistan

More people cross Pakistan border as crisis deepens in Afghanistan

THE number of Afghans crossing over to Pakistan has soared since the twin suicide bombings in Kabul on Thursday (26), despite Islamabad’s position that it won’t accept any refugees from its western neighbour.

Some 6,000 Afghans would normally move across the Spin Boldak-Chaman border crossing and the number went up three-fold after the deadly terror attacks in Kabul, a media report said.


“There has been an unprecedented rise in the numbers of Afghan people and refugees entering into Pakistan from various provinces of Afghanistan in the last two days”, a health official told The Guardian.

While those who are travelling to Pakistan for medical treatment or have proof of residence in the country are allowed to cross, people smugglers have been reportedly assisting families to get over the border.

Spin Boldak-Chaman is a major border crossing that provides Afghans access to Pakistan’s seaport of Karachi and it has been a major trade route between the two countries.

Pakistan closed the border recently after the Taliban took over Spin- Boldak but subsequently eased the blockage.

Pakistan, which is already hosting millions of Afghan refugees displaced by decades of strife, has expressed its unwillingness to welcome any more.

“We are not allowing Afghan refugees to enter and cross our border. There might have been a few individual cases but there is no influx,” Balochistan state government spokesman Liaquat Shahwani told The Guardian.

The reports of people fleeing Afghanistan come in the face of the United Nations’ prediction of “a possible exodus of up to half a million more refugees” by the end of 2021.

The UN, however, said there currently was not a “flood of people fleeing across Afghanistan's borders”, something echoed by the Pakistan government. But the global organisation said it was laying contingency plans as the crisis deepens in Afghanistan.

"The humanitarian emergency currently is inside Afghanistan," Kelly Clements, the deputy high commissioner of the UNHCR, told reporters on Friday (27).

But "this is obviously a really dynamic situation," she said, explaining that the UNHCR was planning for a variety of different scenarios, including a mass exodus.

"We are preparing for around 500,000 new refugees in the region. This is a worst-case scenario," she said.

She stressed the need to boost support for neighbouring countries that already host more than 2.2 million Afghan refugees, and which could soon see a fresh influx.

Iran and Pakistan, which together host 90 per cent of the Afghan refugees in the region, along with some three million other Afghans without refugee status, "will need a lot of support", she said.

More For You

Southport

Floral tributes left by members of the public are seen following the fatal knife attack on three young girls in July in Southport.

Reuters

Public inquiry begins into Southport girls' murders

A PUBLIC inquiry begins on Tuesday into the murders of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event in Southport last year.

The inquiry will examine whether the attack could have been prevented and how future incidents might be avoided.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-Getty

Starmer is facing a Labour backbench revolt over plans to reform special needs support in schools without guaranteeing existing legal rights. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images)

Starmer faces Labour pushback over SEND reform plans

KEIR STARMER is facing a backlash from Labour MPs over plans to reform special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support, after ministers stopped short of guaranteeing legal rights for parents.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the government was committed to reforming the current system, which costs £12 billion a year. However, she did not confirm if legally enforceable rights, such as those provided by education, health and care plans (EHCPs), would remain.

Keep ReadingShow less
Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week

iStock

Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London before 30°C heatwave

Key points

  • Heavy rain and thunderstorms drench London at the start of the week
  • Temperatures set to rise with highs of 31°C expected by Thursday
  • Heatwave could be declared by Friday if warm conditions persist
  • Night-time temperatures to remain high, increasing discomfort
  • UV and pollen levels forecast to be very high across the south

Thunderstorms soak London before summer heat returns

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week as heavy rain and overnight thunderstorms swept through the capital. Monday morning saw widespread downpours, leaving commuters reaching for umbrellas and Wimbledon ticket hopefuls queuing in ponchos.

The unsettled conditions followed a burst of thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon and continued into the early hours of Monday, prompting caution across the city. The Met Office has not issued a formal weather warning for thunderstorms, but conditions remain unstable.

Keep ReadingShow less
National Trust sets vision to heal
nature and engage more Asians

Lisa Nandy, Steve Reed, René Olivieri and Hilary McGrady at a National Trust event marking its 130th anniversary

National Trust sets vision to heal nature and engage more Asians

THE National Trust, which is seeking to broaden its appeal to British Asians, is marking its 130th anniversary with a renewed commitment to restoring nature and widening access under a 10-year strategy.

Its director-general, Hilary McGrady, also aims to inspire more people to get involved in caring for the country’s natural resources.

Keep ReadingShow less
 7/7 bombings

The King said the public should draw on the 'extraordinary courage and compassion' shown in response to the attacks. (Photo credit: X/@RoyalFamily)

Starmer and King Charles pay tribute on 20th anniversary of 7/7 bombings

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer and King Charles on Monday paid tribute to the unity shown in the aftermath of the 7 July bombings in London, as the country marked 20 years since the attacks.

On 7 July 2005, four Islamist extremists carried out suicide bombings at Aldgate Station, Edgware Road, King's Cross and Tavistock Square. The attacks killed 52 people and injured hundreds more.

Keep ReadingShow less