Pakistan : As the clock relentlessly ticks down to the government-imposed deadline for undocumented immigrants, a growing sense of uncertainty and apprehension looms over the 1.7 million Afghan nationals living in Pakistan.
Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti’s announcement on Tuesday has set the stage for a significant turning point in South Asian relations, with the government’s impending crackdown commencing on Thursday, November 2.
Pakistan Focuses on Illegal Immigrants
“Only two days are left for a voluntary return,” emphasized Bugti in a video-recorded statement, underscoring the November 1 deadline set for voluntary departures. After this date, a lengthy and gradual operation is set to commence. Bugti assures, “We are not deporting any refugees. Only those who are completely illegal will leave Pakistan.”
This decisive move comes as Pakistan finds itself at a crossroads, torn between security concerns and humanitarian considerations. The nation currently plays host to over 4 million Afghan migrants and refugees, a significant portion of whom are undocumented, according to the interior ministry. This diverse population includes individuals who were born in Pak and have spent their entire lives there.
The Pakistani government’s decision to urge all undocumented immigrants to leave by November 1 stems from serious allegations of involvement in criminal activities and terrorism. Afghan nationals have been linked to 14 out of 24 suicide bombings this year, with authorities asserting that militant groups utilize Afghan soil for training and planning attacks within Pakistan.
While the government emphasizes that the expulsion plan is aimed at those who are “completely illegal,” this impending action threatens to exacerbate an already strained relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Bugti elaborated on the plan, emphasizing that those choosing to leave voluntarily will be provided assistance by the government through temporary centers established for this purpose. “We will try to provide them food and health facilities for two to three days at the holding centers,” the interior minister stated.
At these centers, primarily occupied by Afghan nationals, many of whom have resided in Pak for years, immigrants will undergo processing. This endeavor is particularly challenging as hundreds of thousands of Afghans initially moved to Pakistan to escape war and conflicts, with many being registered as refugees by the government and various U.N. agencies.
Pakistan’s current predicament mirrors the influx of Afghan refugees following the Soviet invasion of Kabul in 1979, further underlining the complexity and historical context surrounding this issue.
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