The chief spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate or the Taliban, Zabiullah Mujahid, said on social platform X (formerly Twitter) that the behavior of Pakistan towards Afghan refugees was unacceptable, and asked Islamabad to reconsider its plans.

On Tuesday, the Pakistani Interior Minister, Sarfraz Bugti, announced that the country had given Afghan refugees a November 1 deadline to leave Pakistan, claiming that 14 of 24 suicide bombings in the country this year were carried out by Afghan nationals.

Reacting to Pakistan’s announcement, Zabiullah Mujahid said Afghan refugees are not involved in Pakistan’s security problems. “As long as they leave Pakistan voluntarily, that country should tolerate them.”

Islamabad’s announcement marks a new low in its relations with Kabul that deteriorated after clashes alongside the Durand Line between the South Asian neighbours last month.

Following the government’s decision to expel illegal immigrants from Pakistan, a crackdown against Afghan nationals illegally settled in Pakistan has come into full swing and police in Karachi have already arrested over 700 Afghan nationals.