The clock is ticking for illegal immigrants in Pakistan, with less than 24 hours to vacate before the November 1 deadline.
The Ministry of Interior had previously urged them to exit by October 31, or risk forced deportation voluntarily. The directive isn’t limited to Afghan nationals; it applies to all undocumented foreigners within the country’s borders.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar pointed out that Pakistan has sheltered over four million Afghan refugees for the past 40 years under the Geneva Convention, even without being an official signatory. He also noted that over one million foreigners have been identified as illegal residents, lacking necessary legal documentation.
Mass Exodus Back to Afghanistan
Reports from the commissioner for Afghan refugees indicate many Afghans returning home via the Torkham border crossing. In October alone, approximately 4,672 families, totalling 67,604 individuals, returned to Afghanistan. Officials maintain that these repatriated Afghans had been residing unlawfully in Pakistan. However, before crossing back, these families undergo the required legal processes.
Contrastingly, the Taliban government in Afghanistan cited that around 60,000 Afghans returned from Pakistan between September 23 and October 22. Abdul Mutaleb Haqqani, the Taliban refugee ministry spokesperson, revealed that the daily return rate has tripled recently.
In Karachi’s Sohrab Goth area, which houses one of Pakistan’s largest Afghan communities, bus service operators, including Azizullah, have increased their services to manage the departure. Azizullah mentioned the surge in demand, stating the number of weekly buses has jumped from one to four or five.
Punjab IG Usman Anwar announced a phased evacuation plan for undocumented immigrants starting November 3. Regions like Rawalpindi, Sargodha, and Lahore are among those in focus. Expelled individuals will be temporarily held at “holding centres” before expulsion.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch assured that the expulsion strategy aligns with international norms. She emphasized Pakistan’s longstanding commitment to hosting Afghan refugees.
Concerns and Implications
The decision to expel immigrants traces back to various concerns, including the alleged involvement of Afghans in terrorist attacks, smuggling activities, and draining Pakistan’s resources. The surge in immigrants returning to Afghanistan aligns with these concerns. As a consequence, additional border crossings are opening in the Balochistan province.
State-run PTV has been displaying a countdown to the November 1 deadline. Interior Minister Sarfaraz Bugti emphasized the stern action awaiting illegal immigrants past the deadline. He reassured that vulnerable groups like women, children, and the elderly would be treated with respect. He also cautioned Pakistani citizens against assisting undocumented immigrants, signalling potential legal repercussions.
