LANDIKOTAL
Pakistan’s mass deportation campaign has seen over 105,000 Afghan nationals expelled since April 1, following the expiration of a government-imposed deadline for d9cumented and undocumented migrants to leave the country, officials said on Wednesday. They said that the move has drawn criticism from international organizations and strained relations with Afghanistan’s Taliban-led administration,however they have been directed to implement the orders with letter and sprit.
The Pakistani Interior Ministry reported that 105,592 Afghans have departed through the Torkham border crossing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. This figure contributes to the more than 886,000 Afghans who have returned to Afghanistan since the crackdown on undocumented foreigners began in October 2023.
The deportations are part of Pakistan’s “Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan,” which initially targeted undocumented migrants but has since expanded to include holders of Afghan Citizen Cards (ACCs). Approximately 800,000 ACC holders were given until March 31 to leave voluntarily.
Human rights organizations have expressed alarm over the deportations. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that more arrests and detentions of Afghans occurred in April than in all of the previous year. Concerns have been raised about the treatment of refugees, including reports of harassment and the seizure of Afghan-owned properties.
The Taliban government in Kabul has voiced its disapproval. Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi expressed “deep concern and sadness” over the forced deportations during a meeting with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. Muttaqi urged Pakistan to respect the rights of Afghan migrants and allow them to repatriate their property proceeds.
Pakistan maintained that the deportations are necessary for the national security of Pakistan. The government accuses Afghan-based militants of orchestrating attacks within Pakistan, including a deadly assault on the Bannu Cantonment in March that killed at least 16 people. The militant group Jaish Al-Fursan, affiliated with the Pakistani Taliban, claimed responsibility.
Despite international appeals, Pakistan has not indicated any plans to halt the deportations. Afghans awaiting resettlement in third countries have been granted an extension until June 30, but those failing to secure visas by September would face deportation.
The situation has left many Afghans in limbo. Some, like 27-year-old Allah Rahman, who was born in Pakistan and has never been to Afghanistan, expressed feelings of helplessness and fear of police harassment.
As the deportations continue, the international community watches closely, concerned about the potential for a growing humanitarian crisis and the destabilization of an already fragile region.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, 1117 individuals includijg of 221 families had came to transit camp in landikotal and left for Afghanistan after going through the official process, an official said.
