Peshawar High Court gave relief to Afghan musicians, gave two months time to the government to take a decision.

Peshawar: Peshawar High Court has given relief to Afghan musicians. The court has stayed the forced deportation of more than 100 Afghan musicians seeking political asylum in Pakistan. The federal government has been directed to take a decision on their cases in two months. A two-member division bench of the court (PHC) disposed of the case after hearing the arguments on Friday. Also directed the security agencies not to take any action against them during two months.

A division bench headed by Justice Waqar Ahmed delivered the verdict while hearing a petition filed by Hashmatullah. Hashmatullah argued that he was a resident of Afghanistan, but after the establishment of the Taliban government, seeing the threat to his life, he came to Pakistan.

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The petitioner argued that they have already lost their livelihood. He said he faces further harassment and threats of forced deportation in Pakistan. Which is a violation of human rights. He argued that under international laws the Pakistani government cannot forcibly deport him.

Instructions for taking decisions on applications

Petitioner's advocate Mumtaz Ahmed and Assistant Attorney General Rahat Ali Naqvi, representing the federal government, were present in the court. The bench disposed of the petitions. Directed the federal government or its designated officials to take a decision on the asylum applications of Afghan musicians within two months.

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Apart from this, the order states that Afghan musicians can apply for asylum with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The order said that if their cases are not decided within two months, the federal interior secretary may, under the policy framework, allow them to stay in Pakistan temporarily.