Pakistan’s government has announced a stringent policy requiring Afghan nationals to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Deputy Commissioner’s office to reside in Islamabad. This new rule, effective December 31, 2024, is part of a broader effort to regulate the presence of foreign nationals in the capital, amid growing security concerns and mounting pressure on the state to manage its undocumented population.
Afghan Nationals Must Obtain NOC to Stay in Islamabad:
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi made the announcement on November 27, 2024, stating that no Afghan citizen will be allowed to stay in Islamabad without an NOC after December 31. He emphasized that anyone wishing to remain in the capital beyond that date must obtain the required clearance from the district administration. The new regulation marks a significant shift in Pakistan’s immigration policy and comes in the wake of a prolonged expulsion drive targeting Afghan nationals.
A Long-Standing Issue:
The expulsion drive, which began in November 2023, has already seen nearly 800,000 Afghan nationals deported from Pakistan. The Pakistani government claims that the presence of Afghan nationals, particularly those who are undocumented, has contributed to security issues, including bombings and criminal activities. The government blames militants, some of whom cross the border from Afghanistan, for these threats, while also accusing Afghan migrants of involvement in smuggling and other illicit activities.
Interior Minister Naqvi’s statement on the NOC requirement further underscores Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to address these security concerns. “If they [Afghans] want to live here, they need a NOC from the deputy commissioner’s office,” he told reporters, adding, “but after Dec. 31, no Afghan citizen can live in Islamabad without an NOC.”
The Deported Afghan Population:
Before the expulsion drive began, Pakistan was home to over four million Afghan migrants and refugees, with roughly 1.7 million of them being undocumented. Many of these individuals fled to Pakistan after the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and a significant number arrived after the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in 2021. The influx of Afghan refugees has long been a contentious issue in Pakistan, with the government increasingly focused on managing its borders and regulating foreign nationals in the country.
While Pakistan insists that the deportation drive is aimed at all illegal immigrants, the vast majority of those affected are Afghan nationals. The country’s policy shift comes after increased tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, including accusations from Pakistan regarding cross-border militancy and terrorism linked to Afghan nationals.
Security Concerns Amidst Political Unrest
In addition to security issues, Afghan nationals have also been implicated in recent anti-government protests in Pakistan. On November 27, the Islamabad police chief revealed that 19 Afghan nationals were among over 900 rioters arrested during protests led by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. The protests, which occurred in Islamabad, were part of ongoing demonstrations against the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and the arrests further fuel concerns over the role of Afghan nationals in domestic unrest.
Naqvi addressed these concerns, stating that Afghan nationals’ involvement in the protests only added to the strain between the two countries. He reiterated that those involved in illegal activities would not be tolerated and emphasized that the state’s authority would not be challenged.
International Reactions:
The deportation campaign has drawn criticism from international organizations and foreign governments, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Critics argue that the expulsion of Afghan refugees, many of whom have been in Pakistan for decades, has created a humanitarian crisis. Pakistan, however, maintains that the deportation drive is necessary for national security and that the NOC policy is a way to ensure that only those with proper documentation can remain in the capital.
As Pakistan moves forward with its policy of regulating the presence of Afghan nationals in Islamabad, the situation remains tense. The new NOC requirement is just one component of a broader strategy aimed at managing foreign nationals amid growing security concerns. While the government maintains that the drive is not discriminatory, the policy disproportionately affects Afghan migrants, raising questions about the future of Afghanistan’s diaspora in Pakistan.
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Pakistan to Begin Second Phase of Afghan Deportations
Pakistan’s Afghan Deportation Crisis: Geopolitical Tensions and Humanitarian Challenges
Tensions Soar as Pakistan Deports Afghan Refugees Amid Mounting Criticism
