In late September 2023, the government of Pakistan revealed a strategy to expel more than a million Afghan residents in a gradual and organized manner.[1] This move has provoked a significant response from the current Taliban-led government.[2]
The issue of Afghan migration to Pakistan dates back to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, which led to over three million Afghans seeking refuge in Pakistan.[3] While many have returned home, a significant number of Afghan nationals, both documented and undocumented, remain in Pakistan. Recently, there has been a surge in violence, particularly in provinces bordering Afghanistan. The Pakistani government attributes this to the Afghan Taliban providing safe harbor to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has launched numerous attacks. In response to these security concerns, the Pakistani government has announced that all undocumented migrants and refugees, including hundreds of thousands of Afghans, must leave Pakistan.[4][5]
The Plan
The government of Pakistan has established a time limit for all individuals without proper documentation, including a large number of Afghans, to depart from Pakistan. Sarfraz Bugti, the interim Interior Minister, disclosed that a significant portion of suicide bombings in Pakistan this year were orchestrated by Afghan citizens.[6] He further noted that Afghanistan hosts around 4.4 million refugees, with over 1.7 million residing in Pakistan without proper authorization.[7]
The Islamabad police have finished the process of marking the locations of Afghan individuals residing in various areas of the federal capital. Additionally, a survey regarding the properties owned by Afghan nationals is currently in progress.[8]
Reactions
The Taliban-led government has expressed strong disapproval of Pakistan's move to deport Afghans residing in the country without permission, urging the Pakistani government to reconsider its decision.[9]
The United Nations and international human rights organizations have raised alarms about Pakistan's intentions to remove Afghan individuals who entered the country illegally. They emphasize that a significant number, including those who fled Afghanistan after the Taliban's takeover in August 2021, are at risk of being deported.[1][10][11]
