NewKerala.com

Key Points

The Punjab government has launched its third phase of deporting Afghan nationals, identifying 123 more people without legal documents. Since April, Pakistan has deported over 42,000 Afghans under its Illegal Foreigner Repatriation Plan. The UNHCR has expressed serious concerns about forced expulsions, warning they could cause immense suffering for vulnerable families. Pakistani authorities maintain the deportations address security concerns while operating 46 holding centers across the province.

Key Points: Pakistan Punjab Expels 123 Afghans in Third Deportation Phase

  • Punjab government identifies 123 Afghan nationals for third deportation phase
  • Total deportations reach 42,913 Afghans since April under repatriation plan
  • UNHCR warns forced returns could cause devastating humanitarian consequences
  • Pakistan maintains 46 holding centers across province including five in Lahore
  • Police remain on high alert to pick up illegal residents as per international laws
  • Federal government denotified remaining Afghan refugee camps across multiple provinces
3 min read

Pakistan: Punjab govt begins third phase of deporting Afghan nationals

Punjab government begins third phase of Afghan deportations, identifying 123 more illegal residents as UNHCR warns of humanitarian crisis and rights violations

"These expulsions could cause immense suffering for vulnerable families and undermine efforts to reintegrate them safely in Afghanistan. - Philippa Candler, UNHCR"

Islamabad, Oct 12

The Punjab province government has launched the third phase of deporting illegal Afghan nationals from Pakistan after identifying about 123 more such people and bringing them to holding centres for their deportation, local media reported on Sunday.

The Punjab government has said that it has already deported around 42,913 Afghan nationals since April 1, as part of Pakistan’s Illegal Foreigner Repatriation Plan (IFRP), daily Dawn reported.

The provincial government is finding the Afghan nationals who do not have legal documents to stay in Pakistan or who have overstayed for over a year. The government still has 46 holding centres, which are operational in the province, including five in Lahore, which hold illegally staying Afghan nationals until they are sent to the Torkham Border for deportation to Afghanistan.

Punjab IGP Usman Anwar said that police in the province remain on high alert and ensure that illegally residing Afghan nationals are picked up for deportation as per international laws. He said that the Punjab Police has so far deported around 21,805 illegally residing Afghan nationals and other foreigners.

In September, Pakistan's federal government had denotified the last Afghan Refugee Camp in Mianwali, four similar camps in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and 10 camps in Balochistan.

Earlier this week, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) expressed concern over Pakistan’s plan to expel Afghan refugees from 16 villages in Balochistan, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, warning that forced expulsion could lead to devastating humanitarian consequences, Afghan media reported.

Highlighting that Afghan refugees have lived in Pakistan for years and "built their lives, families, and communities here", UNHCR representative in Pakistan, Philippa Candler, has urged Pakistan to stop the deportations and ensure that the return of refugees takes place voluntarily and with dignity, Afghan news agency Khaama Press reported.

Candler said: "These expulsions could cause immense suffering for vulnerable families and undermine efforts to reintegrate them safely in Afghanistan." She urged Pakistan to carry out any repatriation process in phases, with full respect for human rights and humanitarian principles.

The UNHCR representative's statement came after the Pakistani government asked Afghan nationals in 16 villages to leave the country immediately, as part of their plan to deport undocumented migrants that started in 2023. Pakistani authorities have said that the campaign has been launched to address security concerns. However, the rights groups have called it a collective punishment.

The UN refugee agency also voiced concern over the forced return of Afghan women and girls, warning that they would face severe restrictions on education, employment and freedom of movement in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. The UNHCR urged Pakistan to allow Afghans who require medical care, higher education, or those in mixed marriages to stay there.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
This is really heartbreaking. These people have built their lives in Pakistan over decades. The UNHCR is right - forced deportations without proper rehabilitation plans will create massive humanitarian crises. Women and children will suffer the most under Taliban rule.
A
Arjun K
While security concerns are valid, the timing and scale of these deportations seem politically motivated. 42,913 people deported since April is a huge number! Pakistan should consider phased repatriation as UNHCR suggests.
S
Sarah B
As someone who has worked with refugees, this policy worries me deeply. Holding centers and immediate deportations without proper screening violate basic human rights. Pakistan should at least exempt vulnerable groups like women, children, and medical cases.
V
Vikram M
The situation reminds me of our own challenges with illegal immigration in India. However, we must remember that refugees are human beings first. Pakistan should balance security with compassion. The international community should help with proper rehabilitation in Afghanistan.
K
Kavya N
What about the Afghan women and girls? Returning to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan means losing all their rights to education and freedom. This is so concerning! 😟 Pakistan should listen to UNHCR's warnings about this specific issue.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50