Pakistan rejects request to delay deportation of Afghan refugees

Pakistan has rejected the Afghan Taliban’s request for an extension in the stay of Afghan refugees in the country.

Islamabad has clearly informed Kabul that it will stick to its plan to deport all illegal and Afghan citizen card holders from April 1.

On March 7, Pakistan announced that around 800,000 Afghan citizen card holders should leave or be ready to be deported by March 31. They will be treated as illegal resident foreigners from April 1.

Earlier, reports were circulating that Pakistan was planning to expel all Afghans from the country, but now for the first time, the Interior Ministry has officially confirmed that the program of repatriation of illegal foreigners is being implemented from November 1, 2023.

After Pakistan’s deadline, the Taliban government contacted Pakistan through diplomatic channels with a request not to deport its citizens and give them more time. Official sources said that the Pakistan’s decision is final and there will be no further relaxation.

The authorities concerned and the four provinces have been instructed to make adequate arrangements for the return of Afghan refugees living illegally.

More than 800,000 Afghans living illegally have been deported since November 2023. However, Pakistan retained UNHCR registered persons and Afghan citizen card holders in the country.

An estimated three million Afghans are still living in Pakistan. The Afghan government has recently expressed concern over the forced deportation and alleged mistreatment of its citizens.

However, Pakistan has denied the allegations and said that Afghan government should create an environment for the dignified return of its countrymen. This move of Pakistan will further increase the already existing tension between the two countries.

According to Pakistan, Afghan citizens are increasingly involved in terrorist attacks in the country. Preliminary investigations revealed that Afghan nationals were also behind the recent terrorist attack in Bannu Cantonment.