Interim Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani defended Pakistan’s recent order demanding all illegal immigrants, including 1.73 million Afghans, to exit the country. He asserted that this move is consistent with global norms, highlighting that no nation tolerates illegal immigrants. The directive resulted from a high-level committee meeting and mandates that border movements require valid passports and visas. After October 31, any undocumented individual risks facing an operation targeting illegal businesses and associated properties.
Reactions and Context to the Decision
This decision, not targeting any specific ethnicity, responded to the significant number of undocumented Afghans in Pakistan. Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid labelled the move as “unacceptable,” prompting the Foreign Office to clarify that the initiative aims to regulate illegal residents irrespective of nationality. The office emphasized a structured, phased repatriation process aligned with international humanitarian practices.
Jilani cited international standards and the need for consistency, emphasizing that Pakistan has long been a refuge, especially during unstable times in Afghanistan. With the recent stabilization in Afghanistan, Pakistan believes the move is timely. Notably, Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti mentioned that of the 24 suicide bombings this year, 14 were by Afghan nationals, a claim refuted by a Taliban spokesperson.
