Afghan Officials Condemn Call for Afghan IDs for Pakistani Pashtuns

DID Press: Remarks by Pakistani opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai urging Pakistani Pashtuns to obtain Afghan national identity documents have triggered strong reactions in Afghanistan, with critics warning against cross-border ethnic nationalism and political exploitation of identity issues.

Achakzai recently argued that every Pashtun should hold an Afghan identification card, comparing the idea to dual citizenship arrangements commonly seen in Western countries. His comments, however, sparked criticism from Afghan political figures and commentators.

Nasir Ahmad Andisha described the remarks as interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs and stressed that the country’s national identity should not be used for cross-border political agendas. He warned that ethnic-centered narratives risk reviving divisions that have historically fueled regional instability.

Andisha also said that, given Afghanistan’s fragile situation under Taliban rule, Pakistani politicians should focus on addressing challenges within their own country rather than using Afghanistan for domestic political purposes.

Meanwhile, Fawzia Koofi emphasized the legal aspects of citizenship, arguing that nationality and identity documents must be obtained through established legal procedures rather than political declarations.

Koofi also referred to reports alleging that Afghan identity documents had been issued to members of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, questioning why such processes would be conducted selectively and without transparency if their purpose was political reconciliation.

The controversy has reignited debate over the role of ethnic identity in regional politics, with critics arguing that attempts to frame Afghanistan through a narrowly ethnic lens risk undermining national sovereignty and deepening ethnic sensitivities across the region.