Human rights

The Afghan caretaker government is working to assist the sudden influx of returnees. Local officials in Nangarhar and Kunar provinces have been coordinating transportation to help families return to their hometowns.

As the event drew close, Prof Swain offered a resonant final thought: “Justice for children cannot remain an idea. It must become a delivered right. We are here to make that happen – not just in Odisha, not just in India, but anywhere and everywhere.”

In line with Taliban practice, the punishment was carried out by family members of the murder victims, who shot the accused men in front of gathered crowds. Civil servants, military personnel, and ordinary citizens were invited to the events via official announcements widely circulated on Thursday.

The refugees contended that despite possessing valid documentation authorising their stay in Pakistan, they were being targeted in the expulsion drive, detained without cause, and in some cases deported.

Despite being rich in natural resources such as natural gas, coal, gold, and copper, Balochistan remains one of the poorest regions in Pakistan. The benefits of resource extraction projects largely bypass the local population, fuelling resentment.

The coming weeks will determine how the repatriation unfolds and whether diplomatic efforts can alter the course of what many fear could become one of the largest forced migrations in recent history.

Many Afghan women and girls are battling severe mental health issues, with some taking their own lives, others disappearing into Taliban prisons, and those with the means fleeing the country.

Despite the Islamic State’s setbacks in the Middle East, the assessment reveals that ISIS-K remains operationally capable and aggressive, leveraging its influence beyond South Asia to inspire and enable attacks across the globe.