The Pakistani government has initiated the process of deporting all foreign citizens who reside illegally in the country, including Afghans, Las Fuentes said on Wednesday.
However, Afghan sponsored by European countries or other foreign countries will not be deported at the moment. If their resettlement does not materialize soon, they can also face deportation, according to sources from the Ministry of Interior.
The authorities said that according to the illegal foreigners’s repatriation plan (IFRP), all undocumented foreigners currently live in Pakistan will be sent back to their respective countries. As part of this plan, 781 National Afghan have already been repatriated from Islamabad through Torkham’s border.
However, the sources clarified that Afghan refugees who have been sponsored by European countries or other foreign countries and who expect resettlement will not be deported for now.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been aimed at urging sponsoring countries to accelerate the relocation process.
ACNUR, IOM raises concerns
Meanwhile, the United Nations Agency for Refugee clarifications on the “modality and term” of the “term” of the “of the deadlines” of the “move.
The concerns occurred one day after the reports suggested that Afghan refugees were being “in silence” transferred from the Federal Capital and Rawalpindi to finally repatriate their country. The measures were attributed to a plan designed in a series of meetings held last week under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
In a joint statement issued in Islamabad on Wednesday, UNHCR and the IOM recognized the authority of the State to restrict the movement of foreigners, including refugees.
However, the authorities urged to “implement any relocation measure with the proper consideration of human rights standards, including due process, and the legal status of the registration test (by) and the holders of the Afghan citizen card (ACC), which have resided in Pakistan for an extended period. “
UNHCR and IOM pointed out that the lack of a clear timeline to plan a dignified relocation was joining an already stressful situation, with immediate consequences for the livelihoods and education of children.
“Pakistan has a long -standing tradition of organizing refugees and saving millions of lives. This generosity is deeply valued,” said UNHCR PHILIPPA Candler statement.
“Forced return to Afghanistan could place some people at greater risk. We urge Pakistan to continue providing security to Afghans at risk, regardless of their documentation status.”
While recognizing the challenges related to the security faced by the Government, the organizations emphasized that refugees, like all persons, are expected to comply with the law.
“The overwhelming majority of Afghan citizens in Pakistan are respectful individuals of the law, whose situation must be seen through a humanitarian lens,” said the statement.
The head of Mission of the IOM, Mio Sato, reaffirmed his commitment to collaborate with the Government and the UNHCR by establishing a mechanism to “register, administer and evaluate Afghan citizens.” (With news desktop information)
