Illegal Afghan immigrants left with less than 24 hours to leave Pakistan. As the clock ticks down to the November 1st deadline, both provincial and federal authorities in Pakistan have embarked on the process of expelling undocumented immigrants, a move that includes a substantial number of Afghan nationals residing within the country.
The government had previously issued a directive through the Ministry of Interior, urging illegal immigrants to leave voluntarily by October 31 or face deportation.
The scope of this decision is not limited to Afghan nationals but encompasses all undocumented foreign residents.
Despite not being a signatory to the Geneva Convention, Pakistan has accommodated more than four million Afghan refugees over the past four decades.
However, the government has identified over one million individuals residing illegally in the country without proper documentation.
Reports indicate a significant return of Afghan residents to their home country via the Torkham border crossing.
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As Illegal Afghan immigrants left with less than 24 hours to leave Pakistan, between October 1 and 28, thousands of families totaling 67,604 individuals have returned to Afghanistan, having lived in Pakistan without legal authorization.
Afghan families are being allowed to return only after completing the requisite legal formalities.
The decision to initiate the evacuation of illegal immigrants across various provinces is slated to begin in phases from November 3.
Identified individuals will be evacuated from specific areas and temporarily held in designated centers before their expulsion.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stressed that the expulsion plan aligns with international norms and principles, referencing Pakistan’s record of hosting millions of Afghan refugees over the past four decades.
The trigger for this move lies in security concerns, notably following recent incidents like suicide bombings, for which the government has blamed Afghan nationals.
Pakistan, grappling with economic challenges and an IMF bailout program, also cites the long-standing strain on resources due to undocumented migrants as a reason for their expulsion.
Border crossings from Pakistan to Afghanistan have seen a marked increase since the announcement of the November deadline. To manage this surge, Pakistan is preparing to open additional border crossings.
The process of repatriation involves the identification and processing of undocumented migrants in holding centers before their deportation, with assurances from authorities that vulnerable groups, such as women, children, and the elderly, will be treated respectfully.
Interior Minister Sarfaraz Bugti warned of legal consequences for Pakistani citizens found aiding undocumented migrants in obtaining false identities or employment, further underscoring the government’s firm stance on addressing this issue.
This decision has sparked discussions about the potential humanitarian implications of the mass expulsion and its impact on a significant number of individuals.
The situation remains complex and sensitive due to the scale of those affected and the intricate geopolitical factors surrounding the matter.
