Pakistan to deport illegal immigrants from November 2, rights groups warn of ‘humanitarian crisis’

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Afghan diaspora is losing hope of returning home after Taliban takeover "We are not deporting any refugees. Only those who are completely illegal will leave Pakistan," he said.

The operation would be "lengthy and gradual," he added without going into further details on the time frame. The interior ministry has informed that Pakistan is home to more than 4 million Afghan migrants and refugees, about 1.7 million of them undocumented.

Pakistan’s decision to deport the illegal immigrants has drawn flak from various local and international groups, including the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan. Western embassies and the United Nations have urged Pakistan to identify and protect Afghans at risk of persecution at home.

“Amnesty International strongly reiterates its call to the Government of Pakistan to immediately reverse its decision to forcibly deport unregistered Afghan refugees ahead of the deadline set for tomorrow," the group said in a statement. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), a leading rights group, has called on the government to retract its decision which could trigger a “humanitarian crisis".

“The decision amounts to forced repatriation, which is not recognised under international customary law, and will invariably affect vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers, which include women, children, the elderly, persons living with disabilities, persons from low-income groups, and Afghans at risk because of their professions — many of whom fled Afghanistan after the Afghan Taliban took over the government in August 2021," the letter to UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said. (With agency inputs)"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels