Achakzai's remarks about Pakistani Pashtuns receiving Afghan ID cards sparked backlash

Elaha Mon Jun 2026 4 months ago 585

Achakzai wrote in a message on the social network X that millions of Pakistani citizens hold dual citizenship in various countries, including Canada and Italy, and in his view, every Pashtun should also obtain an Afghan national ID card and openly display it. He further claimed that the border fence between Afghanistan and Pakistan was erected at the behest of the United States.


This stance comes as Achakzai has repeatedly defended the ethnic ties of Pashtuns on both sides of the border in recent years and criticized the Pakistani government's policies on the matter.


In response to these statements, Nasir Andishah, Afghanistan's representative in Geneva, stressed that Afghanistan's younger generation must take a clear and firm position against such views and regard them as interference in the country's internal affairs.


He stated that Afghanistan's independent identity and social structure should not be turned into tools for cross-border political agendas and rivalries. Referencing the historical experiences of the 20th century, Andishah warned that the spread of cross-border ethnic nationalism could pave the way for violence and instability in the region—a situation that, in his words, bears similarities to the events in the former Yugoslavia.


Afghanistan's representative in Geneva, in another part of his remarks, criticized the Taliban administration, describing it as an "ethnic, extremist, and exclusionary regime" that, in his view, has placed Afghanistan in an extremely sensitive and dangerous position.


Andishah also urged Pakistani Pashtun politicians to focus their attention on their own country's political and constitutional issues rather than meddling in Afghanistan's internal matters.


Fawzia Koofi, a former Afghan parliamentarian and women's rights activist, addressed the legal dimensions of the issue. In response to Achakzai's remarks, she wrote that obtaining citizenship, dual nationality, or a national ID card in any country follows legal processes and cannot be granted merely through a political statement.


Koofi questioned Achakzai on why he believes a political declaration could qualify individuals to receive Afghan national ID cards. She also pointed out that some members of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and their families had previously obtained Afghan ID cards, adding that if the intent behind this proposal is some form of political compromise, those concerns already exist to some extent.


These statements come amid ongoing tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban over issues such as the expulsion of Afghan migrants and cross-border security matters. As of the publication of this report, no official response has been issued by the Pakistani government or the Taliban regarding Mahmoud Achakzai's remarks.

Recent remarks by Mahmoud Khan Achakzai, a prominent figure in Pakistan's opposition, regarding Pashtuns in Pakistan obtaining Afghan national ID cards have prompted reactions from several Afghan politicians and public figures.

ilaha

Maybe you are interested

    Comments

Leave a Reply

About Us

Address 2933 41k St
London, UK

Contact
+1 (825) 973-2079
[email protected]

News Letter

Latest Tweet

Popular Categories

Education Sport War Afghanistan Agriculture World Women USA Election