Kabul/Quetta, Apr 11 (Reporter) Several Pashtun nationalist parties have denounced Pakistan's continuing deportation of Afghan refugees, and called on the government to halt the process. Holding a joint press conference in the city of Quetta, Balochistan, the parties argued that many of the migrants have been living in Pakistan for generations and have rights as well as being protected under the Citizenship Act. The speakers included Awami National Party (ANP) president Asghar Khan Achakzai, Nasarullah Zerey from the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), Ahmed Jan Khan from the National Democratic Movement (NDP) and Noor Bacha of the Pakhtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM), Dawn reported. Describing it as demeaning to the Pakhtun community, the parties said that Pakhtun nationalist parties have always denounced terrorism. Citing the rulings of the Federal Shariat Court and the Peshawar High Court against the crackdown on refugees, the speakers said that many of these refugees were born and raised in Pakistan, owning homes and businesses, with many of them having little connection to Afghanistan despite their Pashtun identities. Leaders of the Pakhtun nationalist parties attended a meeting at Arbab House, the office of ANP in Quetta, and condemned the deteriorating law and order in Balochistan province. They said blaming Afghan refugees for the country’s problems was fallacious and called for the withdrawal of “false cases” against Pakhtun leaders, including Ali Wazir. They demanded the release of all missing persons, and the removal of political figures from the Fourth Schedule. A five-member committee has been formed to coordinate with political parties and devise a future course of action against the deportations. They also opposed the merger of Levies into police and the integration of the Balochistan Constabulary into the Frontier Corps, terming it a violation of the 18th Amendment. The leaders concluded that “oppressive policies” only fuel resistance and that true peace could only be achieved through justice and equal rights for all. The deportation of refugees has also been staunchly opposed by the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Asif Ali Gandapur, who asked the administration to stop the process. The deportations have also been condemned by both the Afghan Taliban and the United Nations, who called on the Pakistani authorities to show leniency on the refugees who were being forcefully evicted from their homes...////...