Flushing out refugees.

First Scene: It was September 4, 2021, just over two weeks since the Afghan Taliban had seized control of Kabul's government. In the lobby of Kabul's Five: Star Hotel, a sudden commotion stirred the atmosphere. A brisk and smartly dressed figure, General Faiz Hamid, the head of Pakistan's premier intelligence agency, the Inter: Services Intelligence (ISI), held a warm cup of tea in his hands. With each sip, he exuded an undeniable air of confidence. Also present in the lobby was Pakistan's ambassador to Kabul, Mansoor Ahmed Khan. As curious bystanders inquired about the purpose of the General's presence, he responded with unwavering assurance, saying, 'Don't worry, everything will be fine soon.'

However, in the days to come, it became apparent that Pakistan's Afghan policy was adopting a terrifying turn, resembling a nightmare. After the events of September 4, those observing the conduct of the Afghan Taliban residing in Pakistan began to regret the treatment meted out to them, thinking, 'I wish it hadn't come to this.'

Second Scene: Exactly two years later, on September 4, 2023, Pakistan's vigilant Prime Minister Anwar Ul Haq Kakar was engaged in a discussion with foreign correspondents in Islamabad. Confident and articulate, he hinted at strong support from Rawalpindi's establishment. He was asked about the Pakistani government's plans regarding the latest influx of migrants, particularly those who had arrived following the Taliban's assumption of power in Afghanistan. Without hesitation, Prime Minister Kakar responded at length, surpassing expectations. He emphasised assuring action against illegal Afghan migrants, providing legal documentation, and repatriating those without proper paperwork. In the subsequent days, armed attacks on Pakistan's forces from Afghanistan surged, shifting from daily incidents to multiple assaults per day. Pakistani soldiers faced relentless militant retaliation, while Kabul demanded an end to these activities within Pakistan's borders. Kabul warned that if the attacks continued, they would consider the internally based Pakistani Taliban responsible, viewing it as Pakistan's internal problem rather than a refugee situation in Afghanistan.

Third Scene: On September 6th, as Pakistan celebrated its Defense Day and paid homage to its martyrs, armed individuals from Afghanistan's Nuristan province launched a severe attack on a Pakistani armed forces camp in Chitral. Pakistan's security forces responded, eventually...