The Pakistani government has launched a campaign to deport all foreign nationals residing illegally in the country, including Afghan nationals. However, Afghans who have been sponsored by European or other foreign countries will not face deportation for the time being, though they could be affected if their resettlement is delayed.
Under the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP), all undocumented foreign nationals, including those from Afghanistan, are being sent back to their home countries. Already, 781 Afghan nationals have been repatriated from Islamabad via the Torkham border. The government has instructed the foreign ministry to urge sponsoring countries to expedite the relocation process for Afghan refugees.
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However, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) have raised concerns regarding the government’s plan to relocate registered Afghan refugees from Islamabad and Rawalpindi. They have sought clarity on the modality and timeline of the relocation and stressed the need to ensure the protection of refugees’ rights during this process.
Both organizations acknowledged Pakistan’s right to regulate foreign nationals but emphasized that forced repatriation could put vulnerable individuals at increased risk. They urged Pakistan to continue offering safety to Afghan nationals at risk, irrespective of their documentation status.
