Pakistan Declines Request to Extend Return Deadline for Afghan Citizens
Pakistan has refused to extend the deadline for Afghan citizens, mandating their return by March 31. Effective arrangements for detention and deportation have been completed. International criticism has grown regarding the humanitarian impact of this decision, with rights organizations condemning the stringent approach taken by authorities.
Pakistan has firmly declined to extend the deadline for Afghan citizens to return to Afghanistan, despite pleas from the Afghan government and various rights organizations. Authorities in Islamabad have indicated that they are prepared to detain and expel a specific category of Afghan nationals, following the March 31 deadline set for their voluntary return.
A high-level meeting, chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, confirmed that all necessary preparations for the repatriation of Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders have been finalized. The Pakistani government had initially mandated that ACC holders must leave the country by the end of March or else face deportation.
According to reports, arrangements have been made to establish holding centers for the deportees, ensuring they receive food and healthcare during detention. Naqvi emphasized the importance of coordinating with provincial governments to facilitate the smooth execution of the repatriation process and instructed that respect be afforded to foreign nationals throughout.
An extensive awareness campaign is reportedly in progress to inform ACC holders about the repatriation while their mapping has been completed. The International Organisation for Migration states that the ACC provides temporary legal status for Afghans in Pakistan but is subject to governmental discretion on its duration.
Officials disclosed that crackdowns will follow the deadline, targeting ACC holders, with landlords who rent to illegal Afghan nationals also facing repercussions. Search operations will be enacted to locate illegal Afghans, maintaining biometric records to prevent their future entry into the country.
The meeting produced a resolution to form a committee to address recommendations from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to engage the Afghan Taliban in dialogue concerning terrorism, as he has sought formal authority to negotiate with the Afghan government.
This repatriation effort is part of the second phase of Pakistan’s Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Programme initiated in November 2023. Furthermore, the relocation of Afghan nationals with UNHCR-issued Proof of Registration cards from Islamabad and Rawalpindi is mandated by March 31. Notably, this deportation initiative has drawn significant criticism from international human rights organizations, including a condemnation by Amnesty International, which described the imposed deadline as “unyielding and cruel.”
In summary, Pakistan has rejected requests to extend the March 31 deadline for the return of Afghan citizens, particularly those holding Afghan Citizen Cards. The government has established a framework for their repatriation, including detention arrangements. Criticism from human rights organizations underscores the contentious nature of this policy, raising concerns about its humanitarian implications. The situation remains tense as the government prepares for potential enforcement of the repatriation plan.
Original Source: news.abplive.com
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