The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have jointly urged Pakistan to maintain its commitment to safeguarding the well-being of vulnerable Afghan individuals who have sought refuge within the nation, emphasizing the potential risks they face should they be compelled to return.
The statement comes after Pakistan gave all illegal immigrants, which includes some 1.73 million Afghans, a deadline to leave by November 1 or face forcible expulsion.
In a joint statement issued on Saturday, both agencies emphasized that Afghanistan is currently grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis, compounded by numerous human rights challenges, especially affecting women and girls. They underscored the potential grave consequences of plans that could force individuals to return to Afghanistan, posing significant protection risks for those who have already fled the country.
The statement also recognized Pakistan’s sovereign right to formulate domestic policies, manage its population, and ensure public safety and security. Furthermore, UNHCR and IOM, citing their extensive and enduring collaboration with the Pakistani government, expressed their readiness to provide support in developing a comprehensive and sustainable mechanism for the registration and management of Afghan nationals, including those in need of international protection.
UNHCR and IOM expressed deep gratitude for Pakistan’s enduring hospitality toward Afghan individuals spanning over four decades, acknowledging the challenges faced. They reiterated the urgent need for all returns to be entirely voluntary, safe, and conducted with dignity, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding those in search of safety.
They warned that any coerced repatriation of Afghan nationals carries the potential for severe human rights violations, including family separations and the deportation of minors. UNHCR and IOM maintained their call for all nations to halt any forcible returns of Afghan nationals and to ensure that, if any returns do occur, they are executed in a secure, respectful, and voluntary manner.
Caretaker FM Jilani defends decision to expel illegal immigrants
Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani defended Pakistan’s stance on urging illegal immigrants to depart, asserting that this decision aligns with international norms and practices.
He emphasized, “No country, be it in Europe, Asia, or our neighboring nations, permits the presence of illegal residents. Therefore, our decision is consistent with international practices.”
Jilani further explained, “In the past, whenever there were crises, people sought refuge in Pakistan. However, considering that more than four decades have passed, the Pakistani government has made this determination,” citing the improved stability in Afghanistan.
Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti, during a press conference, pointed out that Afghan nationals had been implicated in recent terrorist incidents within the country, including an attack on a mosque in Peshawar, as well as incidents in Qila Saifullah, Zhob, and Hangu.
