Pakistan is considering a plan to expel more Afghans who have been residing in the country for years as part of a government crackdown on undocumented migrants, the foreign ministry announced on Thursday.
The plan, known as the “Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan,” is still being developed, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch. The plan would target individuals who had been issued “Afghan citizen cards” to legalize their stay in Pakistan for a limited time.
Baloch stated that no specific timeline has been set for the implementation of the plan and that further details would be revealed at an appropriate time.
The crackdown on undocumented migrants in Pakistan has faced criticism from various organizations, including the UN, aid agencies, and human rights groups. While hundreds of thousands of Afghans have already returned to Afghanistan, the deportations have slowed down in recent months.
However, Pakistan recently announced an extension of the stay for 1.45 million Afghan refugees currently residing in the country, following a visit by the UN refugee agency chief, Filippo Grandi.
Despite claims that deportations have been halted, Baloch clarified that there has been no suspension in the anti-migrant crackdown targeting individuals without valid documents. She reassured Afghan refugees in Pakistan that their stay has been extended and emphasized the humane approach taken in deportations.
Amnesty International welcomed the decision to extend stays for Afghan refugees and urged Pakistan to suspend the repatriation plan and cease forced returns. The organization also called on the international community to expedite the resettlement process for Afghan refugees stranded in Pakistan.
Pakistan has long been home to millions of Afghan refugees who fled their country due to conflict and political instability. Baloch also called for support in relocating Afghans awaiting resettlement in various countries.
While the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation in Afghanistan expressed gratitude for the reported halt in deportations, they emphasized the importance of allowing refugees to return voluntarily in a peaceful manner.