In a significant development, the Pakistani government has decided to extend the deadline for undocumented Afghans awaiting paperwork to resettle in third countries. The extension, stretching until February 29, comes amid a deportation campaign targeting over one million foreigners residing in Pakistan without proper documentation.
Since the launch of the deportation campaign in early October, more than 450,000 individuals have returned to Afghanistan. While the Pakistani government claims that 90% left voluntarily, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) suggests that many cited fear of arrest as their primary reason for departure.
The announcement of the extension was made by interim information minister Murtaza Solangi, who emphasized that individuals overstaying the new deadline would face a $100 monthly fine, with a maximum limit set at $800. The measures aim to incentivize undocumented Afghans to obtain legal documents or finalize evacuation agreements to third countries promptly.
This decision comes after discussions with US State Department officials, addressing the situation of nearly 25,000 Afghans awaiting resettlement in the United States. Pakistan estimates that over 1.7 million Afghan nationals have resided in the country without proper documentation, with the majority arriving in different waves since the Soviet invasion in 1979.
The Pakistani authorities attribute the surge in deportations to a notable increase in violence throughout the year, with over 600 reported attacks in the first 11 months of 2023. Interim Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti, in October, claimed that 14 out of 24 suicide attacks during that period were carried out by Afghan nationals, although no evidence was provided.
The Taliban has consistently denied accusations of providing shelter to fighters involved in cross-border violence, maintaining its position that Afghanistan’s soil is not used for such activities.
The decision to extend the deadline reflects a delicate balance between managing security concerns, addressing the humanitarian needs of Afghan refugees, and ensuring a legal and orderly process for resettlement. As Pakistan continues to grapple with these challenges, the international community closely watches the evolving dynamics of the Afghan refugee situation.
