KARACHI / PESHAWAR / QUETTA / LAHORE – As the deadline for foreigners residing in Pakistan without proper documentation approaches, logistical and political challenges loom over the government’s efforts to repatriate unregistered aliens, including Afghan nationals.
Around 100,000 illegal Afghan immigrants have voluntarily returned to Afghanistan via the Torkham and Chaman border crossings over the past month. However, the varying estimates of the total number of undocumented immigrants in Pakistan have made the deportation process increasingly complex.
Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti warned against providing shelter to undocumented immigrants, stating that Pakistanis who rent property to illegal immigrants would be held accountable for their actions.
At the same time, Pakistan’s interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar emphasized the importance of differentiating between all Afghans and those involved in illegal activities, underlining the government’s responsibility to protect its citizens.
In response to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Pakistan Foreign Office clarified that the decision to repatriate illegal foreigners is consistent with domestic laws and international principles, applicable to all undocumented foreigners in Pakistan, regardless of their nationality.
Challenges in Various Provinces
In Karachi, the estimated half a million Afghan residents pose a significant challenge for authorities. While the Sindh government has identified 200,000 illegal immigrants, an official claimed that there are approximately 500,000 undocumented Afghan immigrants in Sindh alone. Lodging even a fraction of them in holding facilities is expected to be exceptionally challenging, with overcrowded prisons adding to the complexity.
Sindh’s Home Minister, Brig Haris Nawaz, announced the establishment of three “holding centers” in Sindh. These centers will temporarily house a portion of illegal immigrants and manage their repatriation while avoiding congestion and other problems.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, an estimated 300,000 illegal Afghan refugees reside. Officials confirmed that the process of shifting illegal immigrants to holding areas would begin after the deadline expires. Those who voluntarily leave Pakistan will not face difficulties, but those who remain will be arrested, charged, and detained.
Balochistan is set to proceed with the repatriation of illegal immigrants, and there are no plans for extending the deadline.
Punjab, Pakistan’s largest province, has organized a comprehensive crackdown against illegal immigrants. The provincial government will employ a data-driven approach to identify Afghan nationals with proper documentation, confiscate property and businesses of illegal immigrants, and take strict actions against their facilitators.
Despite these efforts, logistical and diplomatic challenges persist, as the deportation of hundreds of thousands of immigrants faces political opposition and logistical issues.
