The Afghan government has called Pakistan’s decision to expel Afghans living in the country without approval ‘unacceptable’.
Pakistan’s government recently announced a deadline for all undocumented migrants and refugees, predominantly Afghan nationals, to leave the country voluntarily or face potential forceful removal by the beginning of next month. The decision has raised several questions, and here’s a breakdown of the key details:
Why is the government taking this action?
The surge in violence, particularly in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and southwestern province of Balochistan, both sharing borders with Afghanistan, has prompted the government’s action. Pakistani authorities allege that the Afghan Taliban is providing refuge to members of the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which shares ideological alignment with the Afghan Taliban. Following the TTP’s abandonment of a peace agreement with the Pakistani government, it has launched over 300 attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province alone this year. The frequency and severity of these attacks have escalated, with recent incidents in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa resulting in significant casualties. Kabul, however, denies any connection between Afghan refugees and Pakistan’s security issues.
How has Afghanistan responded?
The interim Afghan government, led by the Taliban, has strongly criticized Pakistan’s decision as “unacceptable.” Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid called on Pakistan to reconsider and emphasized that Afghan refugees are not linked to Pakistan’s security problems. Pakistan initiated high-level negotiations in Kabul to address border control concerns, as both countries share a challenging 2,640-kilometer border characterized by rugged terrain and porous regions.
What is the refugee situation in Pakistan?
Approximately 95 percent of refugees in Pakistan, whether documented or undocumented, are Afghan nationals. The initial wave of Afghan refugees arrived in 1979 during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, with more than three million Afghans seeking shelter in Pakistan. Subsequently, a second wave occurred in 2001 following the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reports that 1.3 million Afghan refugees reside in Pakistan, with 50 percent located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 24 percent in Balochistan. A report by Refugees International in July 2021 revealed that over 600,000 Afghans fled to Pakistan following the fall of Kabul to the Taliban.
How will the Pakistani government carry out deportations?
The government has not yet disclosed specific plans for deporting undocumented individuals. The Ministry of Interior Affairs, along with regional police and the Federal Investigation Agency, will be responsible for identifying and carrying out deportations. A task force is set to be established after the November 1 deadline to initiate the crackdown. Those Afghan nationals without proper documentation will be transferred to Afghan officials unless they are sought by authorities for suspected criminal activities.
In summary, Pakistan’s decision to compel the departure of undocumented Afghan migrants and refugees stems from security concerns exacerbated by rising violence. Afghanistan has opposed this move, emphasizing that Afghan refugees are not responsible for Pakistan’s security issues. The situation underscores the complex challenges surrounding Afghan refugees in Pakistan and the need for coordinated efforts to address border control and refugee concerns.