Peshawar High Court Bars Deportation of Afghan Citizen Who Worked With US Forces

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court has ordered authorities not to deport an Afghan citizen who previously worked with American forces in Afghanistan.
A two-member bench comprising Justice Waqar Ahmad and Justice Babar Sattar heard the petition filed against the deportation of Afghan national Masihullah, who is currently residing in Pakistan.
The court issued notices to the Ministry of Interior and other respondents, directing them to submit replies by the next hearing. The bench also ordered that the petitioner must not be deported to Afghanistan until further proceedings in the case.
According to the court order, the respondents have been asked to submit their responses by June 29.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s lawyer, Malik Shehbaz Khan Advocate, informed the court that his client had worked with US forces in Afghanistan and fled to Pakistan after the establishment of the Taliban government due to fears for his safety.
The lawyer argued that the petitioner’s life would be at risk if he were sent back to Afghanistan. He further stated that Masihullah has already applied for asylum through the Canadian Embassy and that his application is currently under process.
The court was requested to prevent the deportation until a decision is made regarding his asylum case.