Ibrahim's dedication of the match to Afghan refugees
By Justice Markandey Katju
Afghanistan
recorded a historic victory over Pakistan on 27th October in the World Cup 2023
cricket match played in Chennai
Afghanistan cricketer Ibrahim Zadran dedicated his Man of the Match award after Afghanistan's victory to the Afghan refugees being expelled from Pakistan.
More than 1.7 million undocumented Afghans living in Pakistan have been told by the Pakistan authorities to leave Pakistan by November 1st, a decision which the Afghanistan Govt has called unacceptable.
ManyPakistanis have criticised Ibrahim Zadran for his dedication, even calling him a 'Namak Haram', and saying he was introducing politics into a game.
I submit there was nothing wrong in what Ibrahim said.
Most of
these Afghans who came to Pakistan came as poor refugees fleeing from a war
torn country, which had been invaded by the Soviet Union, and thereafter by the
Americans, and occupied for decades. Against the invaders the Afghans bravely
fought a guerilla war, but millions had to flee to Pakistan, with only their
clothes on their backs.
Many of the
Afghans living in Pakistan have been living there for 40-50 years, and some of
them, by hard work, built businesses and acquired property. They no doubt came
without visas or other documentation, but how could poor refugees be expected
to have them? To now ask them to leave, and without their properties, is
inhuman. Where will they live, and what will do in Afghanistan? Except for
sentimental affinity, they may be having no roots there, having migrated a long
time back. Many may not even have been born there.
It is like
asking Bangladeshi immigrants who came into Assam 40-50 years ago without
documentation to leave Assam. Or like asking millions of Mexicans who came into USA decades ago without documentation to
leave.
People who
say that those who came illegally should leave must understand that this is not
just a legal issue but also a humanitarian one, as explained in this article.
I can understand the feelings of Ibrahim Zadran in his heart when he learnt of the decision of the Pakistan Govt to expel his compatriots living in Pakistan, and I see nothing wrong in his dedication.
(Justice
Katju is a retired judge of the Supreme Court of India. These are his personal
views.)
