Pakistan Court. (symbolic)
Peshawar: The Peshawar High Court has stayed the forced deportation of over 100 Afghan musicians seeking political asylum in Pakistan and directed the federal government to decide on their cases in two months. A two-member bench of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Friday disposed of the case after hearing arguments and directed the security agencies not to take any action against them during two months.
A division bench headed by Justice Waqar Ahmed delivered the verdict while hearing a petition filed by Hashmatullah. Hashmatullah argued that he was a resident of Afghanistan, but after the establishment of the Taliban government, seeing the threat to his life, he came to Pakistan. The petitioner argued that they have already lost their livelihood. He said that in Pakistan they are facing threats of further harassment and forced deportation, which is a violation of human rights. He argued that under international laws, the Pakistani government could not forcibly deport him.
Court said – can apply for asylum
Petitioner’s advocate Mumtaz Ahmed and Assistant Attorney General Rahat Ali Naqvi, representing the federal government, were present in the court. The bench disposed of the petitions and directed the federal government or its designated officers to decide on the asylum applications of the Afghan musicians within two months. Apart from this, the order states that Afghan musicians can apply for asylum with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The order said that if their cases are not decided within two months, the federal interior secretary may, under the policy framework, allow them to stay in Pakistan temporarily. (Language)
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