Pakistan has announced the continuation of repatriation operations for illegal foreign migrants, including Afghans, back to their homeland, Afghanistan, in a dignified and safe manner.
According to reports, a total of 5,033 illegal Afghan nationals have returned to their country between February 25 and March 2, bringing the total number of repatriated migrants to 503,261, as reported by Pakistan’s “The Nation” newspaper on Sunday.
The repatriation saw over 217 families, comprising 1,573 men, 1,048 women, and 2,412 children, returning to Afghanistan in 204 vehicles.
Earlier, 233 Afghan nationals were repatriated to Afghanistan through the Torkham border crossing.
Pakistan has been a host to a significant number of Afghan refugees for over four decades, with the current figures indicating that Pakistan accommodates approximately 3.1 million Afghans. This population includes both registered refugees and those with other statuses, many of whom reside in urban or semi-urban areas, integrating into the local communities. The response to this significant presence has included various support measures aimed at both the Afghan refugees and the host community members.
However, the situation for Afghan nationals in Pakistan has been fraught with challenges, especially for those without legal documentation. Recent years have seen a crackdown on undocumented immigrants, with Afghans making up a large portion of this group. Despite official statements claiming that the crackdown is not specifically targeting Afghans, the reality on the ground suggests otherwise, with a significant number of Afghan nationals, including registered refugees, facing arbitrary arrests, police raids, and harassment. The situation has been exacerbated by security concerns within Pakistan, with Afghan nationals being linked to security incidents, further justifying the government’s strict measures against undocumented immigrants.
The humanitarian assistance available to Afghan refugees in Pakistan is primarily focused on those holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, with efforts made to update the numbers of PoR cardholders through verification exercises. However, the challenges in obtaining PoR cards and the slow response of the Pakistani government to the influx of Afghan refugees post-2021 have left many vulnerable and at risk of deportation.
The situation calls for a coordinated international response, with suggestions including the establishment of a Regional Support Center (RSC) outside of Pakistan to process Afghan refugees, increased financial support for refugee response plans, and pressing the government of Pakistan to allow registration and issuance of PoR cards to all Afghan refugees to afford them legal protection and access to services.
