As the deadline for foreigners staying illegally in Pakistan approaches, the government has issued a last warning to all undocumented immigrants including a large number of Afghan nationals, to leave the country voluntarily until November 1.
Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti on October 31 said the government will encourage voluntary repatriation of foreigners until the deadline, following which it will start their deportation in phases.
“All the illegal immigrants have been identified. The state has complete data,” Bugti said at a news conference in Islamabad. “I want to appeal one more time that all the illegal immigrants should leave voluntarily by the deadline. After November 1, the state will commence its operation to expel aliens in phases,” he added.
Pakistan on October 3 announced its decision to remove all illegal immigrants, citing the involvement of Afghan nationals in crimes, smuggling, and attacks against the government and the army, including 14 out of the 24 suicide bombings that occurred in 2023.
Deportation centers set up for over 1.4 million undocumented Afghan nationals
Pakistan has set up deportation centers for over 1.4 million Afghan nationals, many of whom have lived in Pakistan for years, as they leave the country. Those voluntarily departing will be helped in a smooth exit, including document preparation, currency exchange permissions, and transportation arrangements, the Interior Ministry said.
UN seeks relief on deadline
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has urged Pakistan to reconsider its decision to expel Afghan immigrants, especially those who fled Afghanistan after August 2021, saying that many of them are at “grave risk of human rights violations” upon their return to their country. The UN has also appealed Pakistani authorities to extend the November 1 deadline for the forcible return of 1.4 million Afghanis to Afghanistan.
“We are very worried that those who are deported face a whole host of human rights violations including torture, arbitrary arrest and detention, severe discrimination, and lack of access to basic economic and social needs,” said Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the U.N. high commissioner for human rights.
Pakistan says decision in line with international norms
Pakistan’s foreign office spokesperson also clarified that Islamabad’s decision to expel undocumented foreigners is in exercise of the country’s sovereign domestic laws, and is compliant with international norms and principles.
“The Government of Pakistan takes its commitments toward protection and safety needs of those in vulnerable situations with utmost seriousness,” the spokesperson said.
Pakistan has also assured that registered Afghan refugees need not be concerned about deportation, emphasizing that only individuals residing in illegally, regardless of nationality, will be repatriated to their respective home countries.