Islamabad- Pakistan faces severe criticism from Western diplomats and the United Nations for imposing a hefty exit fee of USD 830 on every Afghan refugee awaiting resettlement in Western countries. This move, deemed “unprecedented” by diplomats, is targeted at refugees seeking to leave Pakistan under resettlement programs.
In the aftermath of the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in August 2021, over 2 million unregistered Afghans faced a November 1 deadline to leave Pakistan. The country initiated mass deportations, forcing those without proper documentation to depart. Many of these individuals, who worked with Western governments and organizations, are eligible for resettlement on humanitarian grounds.
The decision to charge an exit permit fee has sparked outrage among Western diplomats and UN agencies. The fee was initially set at USD 10,000 per person but later reduced to USD 830. Diplomats expressed frustration, with one stating, “If Pakistan wants to facilitate the settlement of refugees in the West, they should not complicate it with such absurd conditions.”
Critics argue that the exit permit fee poses additional challenges for refugees, especially since it must be paid via credit card, a payment method many Afghan refugees lack access to. The lack of transparency in the process and concerns about foreigners entering Afghanistan under false pretenses have also been raised by experts and aid organizations.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the spokesperson for Pakistan’s foreign ministry, defended the policy, emphasizing that the individuals in question overstayed their visas and lacked proper documents. She urged concerned countries to expedite visa processes for resettlement.
Babar Baloch, a spokesperson for the UNHCR, stated that the UNHCR is working with the Pakistani government to address the issue of exit fines and overstay visa fees for refugees in the resettlement program. The UNHCR advocates for the exemption of refugees from these requirements.
Resettlement is seen as a global solidarity mechanism for vulnerable refugees, providing them with an opportunity to rebuild their lives. However, the imposition of exit fees has added another layer of complexity to an already challenging situation.
