Pakistan to Repatriate Undocumented Individuals

Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan, the spokesperson for the Foreign Office (FO), has asserted Pakistan’s sovereign right to determine its residents, emphasizing the imminent repatriation of undocumented individuals.

During a recent press briefing, the FO spokesperson stated, “Individuals lacking proper documentation must depart. This reflects Pakistan’s policy, consistent with international practices in Europe and elsewhere… As a sovereign nation, we reserve the right to decide who resides within our borders.”

In recent times, thousands of registered Afghan refugees have crossed into Afghanistan from Pakistan, despite the devastating earthquake that claimed over 2,200 lives and destroyed numerous Afghan villages.

This situation prompted Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, to appeal to the Pakistani government to temporarily suspend the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan, considering the prevailing circumstances.

Pakistan has been a host to Afghan refugees for over four decades, commencing with the Soviet invasion and continuing through the 2021 Taliban takeover. A number of these refugees were born and raised in Pakistan, while others are awaiting resettlement in third countries.

In 2023, citing a surge in militant activities, Islamabad initiated a crackdown to expel Afghan refugees. According to UN estimates, over 1.2 million Afghans have been compelled to return, including more than 443,000 this year alone.

The campaign has recently focused on approximately 1.3 million refugees possessing Proof of Registration (PoR) cards issued by the UNHCR, setting a September 1 deadline for their departure, failing which they face arrest and deportation.

Afghans awaiting relocation to Germany have reported multiple police raids on guesthouses designated by German authorities as temporary residences while their applications are being processed.

During the briefing, the FO spokesperson conveyed optimism that Germany would honor its commitment to accept Afghan citizens, underscoring that Pakistan and Germany would continue to foster stronger relations based on mutual trust and goodwill.

He expressed ongoing concern regarding the presence of terrorist safe havens, particularly within Afghanistan, which poses a significant impediment to bilateral relations, urging Kabul to take decisive action against them.

Shafqat Ali Khan refuted claims of Pakistani involvement in attacks within Afghanistan, clarifying that Pakistani forces conduct security operations in border regions exclusively against terrorists, based on credible intelligence and meticulous planning.

He reiterated Pakistan’s respect for Afghanistan’s sovereignty and called for enhanced cooperation in addressing the shared challenge of terrorism, urging the Taliban to prevent Afghan territory from being used for terrorist activities against Pakistan.

“Terrorist factions represent a mutual threat to regional stability, and their eradication necessitates collaborative endeavors,” Khan emphasized.

He affirmed that diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan remain stable, with consistent engagement at various levels.

The spokesperson also mentioned Pakistan’s provision of relief supplies to the earthquake victims in Afghanistan, expressing readiness to extend further assistance.