The Afghan Taliban government asked the United States to act responsibly when deporting Afghan immigrants back home, the Afghan foreign ministry said on November 2, adding that Kabul was prepared to engage constructively with Washington on the issue.
A US official and a coalition of veterans and advocacy groups said on October 30 that President Donald Trump's administration plans to deport some Afghan immigrants to Afghanistan. The New York Times reported the same day that more than 150 Afghan immigrants are expected to be deported and that the first flight was expected as soon as November 2.
The deportations would run via Pakistan because Washington cannot directly arrange deportations to Afghanistan, as it lacks diplomatic ties with the Taliban government, according to the report.
In its statement, the Afghan foreign ministry said the Afghan side was prepared, while understanding existing realities and considering the legitimate interests of both sides, to engage constructively and on the basis of mutual understanding. It also said third countries should not treat the citizens of another country as a matter of bargaining in exchange for limited temporary concessions or other considerations.
Pakistan and Afghanistan have been at odds over militant attacks, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of harboring militants who stage cross-border attacks. Kabul denies the charge.