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{{Short description|International protests in 2021 against Pakistani involvment in Afghanistan}}
{{Infobox civil conflict|place=[[Afghanistan]], [[Sweden]], [[Germany]], [[Canada]], [[Austria]], [[Pakistan]], [[Greece]], [[Belgium]], [[Iran]], [[United States]], [[India]]|title=2021 Anti-Pakistan protests|partof=the [[Afghanistan conflict]] and [[Anti-Pakistani sentiment|anti-Pakistani sentiment]]|side1={{Flagicon image|Afghan_National_Army_emblem.svg}} [[Afghan National Army]] {{Flagicon image|Flag_of_Afghanistan_(1992–2001).svg}} [[National Resistance Front of Afghanistan]] {{Flagicon image|Flag_of_Sweden.svg}} [[Afghans in Sweden]] {{Flagicon image|Flag_of_Frankfurt_am_Main.svg}} [[Afghans in Germany]] {{Flagicon image|Flag_of_Toronto,_Canada.svg}} [[Afghan Canadians]] {{Flagicon image|Flag_of_Salzburg,_Vienna,_Vorarlberg.svg}} [[Afghan diaspora|Afghans in Austria]] {{Flagicon image|}} [[Afghan diaspora|Afghans in Greece]] {{Flagicon image|Flag_of_Belgium.svg}} [[Afghan diaspora|Afghans in Belgium]] {{Flagicon image|Flag_of_Afghanistan_(2013–2021).svg}} [[2021 Afghan protests|Anti-Taliban protesters]] {{Flagicon image|Flag_of_the_District_of_Columbia.svg}} [[Afghan Americans]] {{Flagicon image|}} [[Afghans in Iran]] {{Flagicon image|Flag_of_India.svg}} [[Afghans in India]]|side2={{Flagicon image|Flag_of_Pakistan.svg}} [[Pakistan]] {{Flagicon image|Flag of Taliban.svg}} [[Afghanistan]]
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of Taliban.svg}} [[Taliban]]
* {{Flagicon image|Flag of Taliban.svg}} [[Islamic Army of Afghanistan]]|casualties3=3 protesters dead, 8 injured|goals=* End [[Pakistan|Pakistani]] [[Pakistan and state-sponsored terrorism|involvment in]] [[Afghanistan conflict (1978–present)|Afghanistan]]|causes=* [[Pakistan|Pakistani]] [[Pakistan and state-sponsored terrorism|involvment in]] [[Afghanistan conflict (1978-present)|Afghanistan]]|date=August 2021}}

'''Anti-Pakistan protests''' are ongoing protests that have taken place in Iran, Afghanistan, India, the US and elsewhere in opposition to the Pakistani involvement in the [[Afghanistan conflict (1978–present)|war of Afghanistan]].

==Background==

"#SanctionPakistan" became a social media trend from the beginning of August 2021, as Afghanistan President [[Ashraf Ghani]] accused Pakistan of actively supporting the Taliban.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/11/sanction-pakistan-twitter-trend-afghanistan-taliban|title=#SanctionPakistan trends as violence rages in Afghanistan|date=11 August 2021|publisher = Al Jazeera}}</ref> The result of Afghans using this anti-Pakistan hashtag led to "wider calls" on the [[United Nations Security Council]] to sanction the country for [[Pakistan and state-sponsored terrorism]] in Afghanistan.<ref name="SHAKIL">{{cite web |last1=SHAKIL |first1=FM |title=Taliban’s win could soon be Pakistan’s loss |url=https://asiatimes.com/2021/08/talibans-win-could-soon-be-pakistans-loss/ |website=[[Asia Times]]}}</ref> As the [[Taliban insurgency]] in 2021 grew, Western leaders, including [[Chris Alexander (politician)|Chris Alexander]] began to call for sanctions on [[Pakistan]], which have been accompanied by protests in front of Pakistani embassies and consulates throughout the world.<ref name="SHAKIL"/><ref name="IranIntl">{{cite web |title=Afghans Protest Against Taliban, Pakistan In Kabul And Tehran |url=https://iranintl.com/en/world/afghans-protest-against-taliban-pakistan-kabul-and-tehran |website=[[Iran International]] |date=7 September 2021}}</ref> Pakhtun activist [[Afrasiab Khattak]] echoed these sentiments saying that the “Taliban is in a way an instrument of Pakistan’s ‘strategic depth’ in Afghanistan. Pakistan is very happy with the Taliban advances; Pakistani generals, I mean – the civilian government has no role in shaping policy.”<ref name="SHAKIL"/> As the Taliban came to occupy most of [[Afghanistan]], protests against Pakistan intensified as nations such as [[Iran]] claimed that Pakistan was supporting the Taliban in the [[Panjshir conflict]], the last holdout of the [[Afghan National Army]] and [[Northern Alliance]].<ref name="IranIntl"/>

==Protests==

On July 2021, protestors protested in front of Pakistan Embassy in Sweden and alleged Pakistan of involvement in the war in Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/protest-held-outside-pak-embassy-182308833.html|title=Protest held outside Pak embassy in Sweden against Islamabad's involvement in Afghan proxy war|date=30 July 2021|publisher = Yahoo News}}</ref>

On August 1, Afghans protested against Pakistan in front of the Pakistani Consulate in [[Frankfurt]] city, Germany over Pakistan's policy towards Afghanistan. The protestors chanted anti-Pakistani slogans.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.afghanistantimes.af/afghans-protest-against-pakistan-in-germany/|title=Afghans protest against Pakistan in Germany|publisher=Afghanistan Times|date=1 August 2021}}</ref>

On 2 August, more than a thousand of protestors protested in [[Toronto]], Canada, demanding “Stop Pakistan’s Proxy War in Afghanistan”.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/news/canada-pashtuns-hold-anti-pakistan-protest-for-sponsoring-terrorism/videoshow/84982134.cms|title=Canada: Pashtuns hold anti-Pakistan protest for sponsoring terrorism|date=2 August 2021}}</ref>

On 11 August, Afghan diaspora in [[Vienna]] protested against Pakistan's "proxy war" in Afghanistan and urged UN to take action against Pakistan.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.afghanistantimes.af/afghan-diaspora-hold-protest-against-pakistan-proxy-war-in-vienna/|title=Afghan diaspora hold protest against Pakistan ‘proxy war’ in Vienna|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826035410/http://www.afghanistantimes.af/afghan-diaspora-hold-protest-against-pakistan-proxy-war-in-vienna/|date=11 August 2021|archive-date=26 August 2021}}</ref> Similar protests were also seen in front of Pakistan's embassy in [[Washington D.C.]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/stop-proxy-war-afghan-diaspora-to-protest-in-front-of-pak-embassy-in-us-101628771298996.html|title='Stop Proxy War': Afghan diaspora to protest in front of Pakistan embassy in US|publisher=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=12 August 2021}}</ref>

On 21 August, it was reported that 194 Afghan nationals were arrested in [[Peshawar]], Pakistan, on the charges of rioting and anti-Pakistan slogans on 19 August.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1641776|title=194 Afghans held for rioting in Peshawar|publisher=Dawn|date=21 August 2021}}</ref>

On 29 August, almost 800 people protested in front of the [[Hellenic Parliament|Greek Parliament]] in Athens, blaming Pakistan for the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan. Protestors shouted slogans such as "Who killed Afghanistan- Pakistan Pakistan" and "Pakistan supports terrorists". This rally later marched to the US Embassy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eminetra.co.uk/800-people-gather-around-the-greek-parliament/671816/|title=800 people gather around the Greek Parliament|publisher=Eminetra}}</ref><ref name="hindust"/>

On 30 August, protestors in [[Houston, Texas]] raised anti-Pakistan slogans to protest against its support for Taliban.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.abplive.com/videos/news/indian-americans-protest-against-taliban-raised-anti-pakistan-slogans-in-houston-1479198|title=Indian-Americans protest against Taliban, raised anti-Pakistan slogans in Houston|date = 30 August 2021}}</ref>

On 31 August, Afghans living in Belgium protested and shouted slogans against Pakistan. The protestors comprising the Afghan diaspora also called for support from the global community.<ref name="hindust">{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/afghans-in-belgium-organise-protest-slam-pakistan-for-supporting-taliban-101630381230454.html|title=Afghans in Belgium organise protest, slam Pakistan for supporting Taliban|publisher=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=31 August 2021}}</ref>

On September 7, protest against Pakistan took place in [[Parwan Province]], Afghanistan. A young boy who participated in the protest was reportedly killed by Taliban.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/taliban-kill-anti-pak-protester-afghanistan-parwan-province-reports-1850286-2021-09-07|title=Taliban kill anti-Pak protester in Afghanistan's Parwan province: Reports|publisher=India Today|date=7 September 2021}}</ref>

On September 7 and 8, hundreds of people chanted 'Death to Pakistan' in Kabul rally. Taliban fired in the air to quell these protests.<ref>{{cite news |title=Afghanistan: Taliban fire in air after protesters, including women, join anti-Pakistan rally in Kabul |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3147843/afghanistan-taliban-fire-shots-disperse-anti |access-date=8 September 2021 |work=[[South China Morning Post]] |date=7 September 2021}}</ref> Taliban also arrested the journalists who covered the protests against Pakistan.<ref>{{cite news |title=Taliban arrest journalists, cameramen covering anti-Pakistan protest in Kabul |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/taliban-arrest-journalists-cameramen-covering-anti-pakistan-protest-in-kabul-1850096-2021-09-07 |access-date=8 September 2021 |work=[[India Today]] |date=7 September 2021}}</ref> UN condemned the Taliban's crackdown on these protests and noted deaths of four protestors in these protests.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/10/un-condemns-talibans-violence-against-peaceful-protesters|title=UN condemns Taliban violence against peaceful protesters|date=10 September 2021|publisher= Al-Jazeera}}</ref>

Two people were shot dead and eight were injured by Taliban in an anti-Pakistan protest in the [[Herat]] on September 7.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/taliban-fire-shots-to-disperse-protest-in-kabul|title=Taliban fire in air to scatter protesters in Kabul; two killed in Herat protest|publisher=[[The Straits Times]]|date=7 September 2021}}</ref>

Protests against Pakistan's alleged involvement in the ongoing [[Panjshir conflict]] were also seen in Iran, and Washington.<ref name="Telegraph26Aug">{{cite news |title=Afghans Protest Against Taliban, Pakistan In Kabul And Tehran |url=https://iranintl.com/en/world/afghans-protest-against-taliban-pakistan-kabul-and-tehran |access-date=8 September 2021 |work=[[Iran International]] |date=7 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Hundreds of Afghans take to Kabul’s streets calling for ‘freedom’ |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/7/afghanistan-hundreds-take-to-the-street-in-anti-taliban-protest |access-date=8 September 2021 |work=[[Al Jazeera]] |date=7 September 2021}}</ref><ref name="Telegraph26Aug"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Kabul से लेकर वॉशिंगटन तक Pakistan की हो रही फजीहत! देखें सड़कों पर क्यों उतरे लोग |url=https://www.aajtak.in/world/video/kabul-to-washington-protest-against-pakistan-people-took-to-streets-news-in-hindi-1322988-2021-09-07 |language=Hindi |trans-title=Pakistan's trouble from Kabul to Washington! See why people took to the streets |access-date=8 September 2021 |work=[[Aaj Tak]] |date=7 September 2021}}</ref>

Protests against Pakistan descended on the Pakistani Embassy in Tehran. The protestors shouted slogans against both the Taliban and Pakistan. Many of the protestors used pictures of [[Ahmad Shah Masoud]] and his son Ahmad Masoud, and chanted "Masoud Will Be Our Leader as Long as We Live." Protestors were holding placards that read “Pakistan, Stop Feeding Terrorism, Taliban”,<ref name="Telegraph26Aug"/> “Death to Pakistan, Death to the Taliban and Death to the Enemy”.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://intellinews.com/afghans-iranians-in-tehran-protest-against-pakistani-backing-for-a-taliban-afghanistan-220087/|date=7 September 2021|publisher=IntelliNews|title=Afghans, Iranians in Tehran protest against Pakistani backing for a Taliban Afghanistan}}</ref>

On 8 September, Afghan students in [[Bengaluru]], India held protest against Pakistan.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/video/state/afghan-students-hold-protest-in-bengaluru-against-pakistan-s-interference-1028576.html|title=Afghan students hold protest in Bengaluru against Pakistan's interference|date=9 September 2021|publisher=Deccan Herald}}</ref> Similar protests were also held on 10 September, near the building of [[Savitribai Phule Pune University]], in [[Pune]] by Afghan students.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/afghan-students-come-together-in-support-of-national-uprising-against-taliban-7501915/lite/|title=Afghan students come together in support of ‘national uprising’ against Taliban|publisher = Indian Express|date=10 September 2021}}</ref>

On 10 September, Afghan nationals in [[New Delhi]], India protested against Pakistan. Protestors accused Pakistan of sending terrorists to Afghanistan in support of the Taliban. The protestors had also planned to protest outside the [[High Commission of Pakistan, New Delhi|Pakistani High Commission]], but were not permitted by the Delhi Police.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://theshillongtimes.com/2021/09/11/afghan-nationals-in-delhi-protest-against-pakistan/|title=Afghan nationals in Delhi protest against Pakistan|date=10 September 2021|publisher=The Shillong Times}}</ref>

On 11 September, more than 100 people protested on [[Parliament Hill]], [[Ottawa]]. Hamid Simab, an Afghan-Canadian who was a political prisoner of Afghanistan in 1980s, read the statement which expressed solidarity with people in Afghanistan and denounced the support of Pakistan for the Taliban.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/afghan-canadians-demonstrate-on-parliament-hill-its-absolutely-heartbreaking|title=Afghan-Canadians demonstrate on Parliament Hill: 'It’s absolutely heartbreaking'|date=11 September 2021|publisher=Ottawa Citizen|access-date=12 September 2021}}</ref>

On 11 September, Afghan community protested in [[Austin, Texas]]. Protestors urged the U.S. government to impose sanctions on Pakistan.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/texas/austin-texas-911-capitol-afghan-community-demonstration/269-5fb17989-78e2-4644-9eef-f815ef898344|title=Afghan community in Austin holds anti-Taliban demonstration outside Texas Capitol|date=11 September 2021|publisher=[[KVUE]]|access-date=12 September 2021}}</ref>

On 14 September, Afghans in [[South Delhi]] protested against Pakistan's interference in Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/afghans-stage-2nd-protest-against-pakistan-in-delhi|title=Afghans stage 2nd protest against Pakistan in Delhi|publisher=National Herald|date=14 September 2021}}</ref>

On 14 September, Afghan women in [[Dushanbe]], Tajikistan protested against Pakistan and the Taliban. They chanted the slogans such as "Pakistan, go away from Afghanistan!," "Stop killing Afghans," among others. [[Mohammad Zahir Aghbar]] met with the protestors and supported them.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-tajikistan-women-protest/31460065.html|title=Afghan Women Residing In Tajikistan Protest Against Taliban, Pakistan|date=14 September 2021|access-date=14 September 2021|publisher=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|Radio Free Europe]]}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[2021 Afghan protests]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{#seo:
|keywords=2021 protests, 2021 in Iran, 2021 in Afghanistan, Afghanistan–Pakistan relations
|description=
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[[Category:2021 protests]]
[[Category:2021 in Iran]]
[[Category:2021 in Afghanistan]]
[[Category:Afghanistan–Pakistan relations]]

2021 anti-Pakistan protests - Revision history

MetaBOT at 20:40, 8 July 2023