Tuesday, 02 January 2024 12:17 GMT

Pakistan Arrests 820 Afghan Refugees, Issues Deportation Deadline


(MENAFN- Khaama Press) Pakistani media reported that over the past week, 820 Afghan migrants were arrested by Rawalpindi police, with 114 of them deported back to Afghanistan. According to Dawn Pakistan newspaper, 140 other migrants are being detained at Haji Camp due to the closure of the Torkham border crossing.

The report mentioned that the deportation process of Afghan migrants has been halted in recent days due to the closure of Torkham. This has resulted in a backlog of migrants waiting for the border to reopen.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Ministry of Interior recently issued a warning to Afghan migrants holding Afghan Citizenship Cards (ACC), stating that they must leave the country by March 31, or face the risk of forced deportation.

According to reports, this directive will affect nearly 900,000 Afghan migrants who possess Afghan Citizenship Cards. The warning has intensified concerns among the Afghan migrant community, and international reactions to the deportation policies continue to grow.

The crackdown on Afghan migrants in Pakistan has escalated following international responses, with authorities intensifying detentions and deportations. According to Pakistani officials, 1.45 million Afghan migrants currently reside legally in Pakistan, with their residency extended until June.

Meanwhile, the Torkham border crossing has been closed for nearly 21 days due to tensions surrounding the construction of a security post by the Taliban near the border. This closure has further complicated the movement of migrants and goods between the two countries.

The ongoing situation underscores the fragile status of Afghan migrants in Pakistan, and the potential challenges they face as the Pakistani government enforces its immigration policies. These developments highlight the need for dialogue between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and international organizations to ensure the protection and fair treatment of displaced people.

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