Around 165,000 Afghan nationals who were residing in Pakistan without proper documentation have left the country. The mass exodus comes after the Pakistan government’s order for all illegal foreigners to leave the country or face expulsion.
The deadline set by the Pakistani government was November 1, and many Afghans began their journey back to their homeland soon after the announcement. The majority of these individuals are using the Torkham border at Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa for their return journey, while a significant number are also crossing into Afghanistan from the Chaman border in Balochistan.
Pakistan’s Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan
Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Baloch clarified that the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP), which came into effect recently, applies to individuals who have overstayed their visas or do not possess valid documents for their continued stay in Pakistan. She added that this decision is an exercise of Pakistan’s sovereign domestic laws and is compliant with applicable international norms and principles.
However, it’s important to note that this policy does not apply to individuals who enjoy refugee status and will continue to be generously hosted by Pakistan. The decision to expel illegal foreigners was taken following a series of terrorist attacks this year, with several incidents involving Afghan nationals.
UN expressed concern about this issue
This move by Pakistan has sparked international reactions and concerns about the forced deportation of Afghan refugees. The United Nations has expressed its concern regarding this issue, and there has been widespread criticism from UN agencies, rights groups, and even from the Taliban administration in Afghanistan. They have urged Pakistan to give more time to Afghan refugees.
The situation has led to uncertainty and fear among many Afghans who have been living and working in Pakistan for years. Refugee holding camps have been established for those waiting to cross the border, and many express concern about what awaits them upon their return to Afghanistan.
Pakistan has been home to about 4 million Afghan refugees for several decades, many of whom fled violent conflicts in their home country. This includes approximately 600,000 individuals who entered Pakistan after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021.
(With PTI Inputs)