Islamabad: In a landmark decision, an Afghan woman, Raheel Azizi, who sought refuge in Pakistan following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, has been granted the right to stay in Pakistan and will soon embark on a journey to Australia. The Islamabad High Court judge, Justice Babar Sattar, ruled in favor of Azizi, quashing the charges registered against her for entering Pakistan without a visa.
Azizi’s ordeal began when she fled her homeland, fearing for her life amid the Taliban’s rise to power in Afghanistan. Upon her arrival in Pakistan, she was booked by the authorities and charged under the Foreigners Act due to her lack of a valid visa.
Justice Babar Sattar’s verdict underscored Azizi’s right to seek asylum, as enshrined in the Constitution, ensuring her protection and freedom from deportation. Furthermore, the judge ordered the Interior Ministry to issue a no-objection certificate, facilitating Azizi’s journey to Australia, where she had already been granted a visa.
The court’s decision firmly established that individuals seeking asylum should not face imprisonment or legal proceedings when escaping dire circumstances in their home countries.
Pakistan has a long history of hosting Afghan refugees, with approximately 2.1 million registered Afghan refugees residing in the country, many of whom have sought shelter since the Afghan conflict began in 1979. Since August 2021, an additional 600,000 Afghans have arrived in Pakistan, as reported by the government, highlighting the continued importance of providing humanitarian aid and protection to those fleeing conflict and persecution in Afghanistan.
Raheel Azizi’s case serves as a symbol of hope and compassion, demonstrating the significance of upholding international principles of refugee protection and human rights in times of crisis.
