Latest news with #IFRP
Arab News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan says border control ‘sovereign right' as UNHCR flags at-risk Afghans amid expulsions
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's foreign office said on Monday the country had a 'sovereign right' to secure and regulate its borders, as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) identified around 110,000 Afghans who faced the risk of persecution at home if deported. Facing economic and security crises, Pakistan launched a repatriation drive targeting 'illegal' foreigners in November 2023, with approximately 1.3 million Afghan refugees, both undocumented and those with Afghan Citizen Card holders, deported since. Pakistan has vowed to continue with the deportations until all 'illegal' foreigners have been expelled. As of October 2023, there were over 4 million Afghans, registered and illegals, residing in Pakistan. According to the latest UNHCR Resettlement Factsheet, some 110,000 refugees and asylum-seekers have high-risk profiles with increased international protection needs and vulnerabilities that could qualify them for resettlement in a third country. The agency has said all returns should be voluntary, dignified, and sustainable. Speaking to Arab News on Monday, foreign office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said the illegal foreign repatriation plan (IFRP) was consistent with both Pakistan's obligations under international law and its domestic legal framework. 'The right to secure and regulate our borders is a sovereign right and an internationally recognized practice, which is by no means unique to Pakistan,' he said, adding that IFRP was neither an 'indiscriminate nor an arbitrary measure,' and that Afghans would always be welcome to visit Pakistan through a proper visa regime, whether for business, tourism, or education. Khan said Pakistan had urged all concerned nations to expedite the repatriation process for Afghans awaiting resettlement in third countries. 'On Afghan nationals awaiting evacuation to a third country, we are in touch with those countries and urged them to expedite the process of evacuation,' the FO spokesman said. 'We are engaged with relevant UN bodies for the protection of people in vulnerable situations, and our legal safeguards and remedies remain functional and effective to address any complaints.' UNHCR Pakistan spokesperson Qaiser Khan Afridi said approximately 600,000 Afghans had entered Pakistan following the Taliban's takeover of Kabul and the withdrawal of US and allied forces in August 2021, with about 490,000 seeking asylum through UNHCR due to the absence of a national refugee law. 'We conducted a verification exercise a year ago and ... around 110,000 have high-risk profiles and qualify for resettlement in a third country,' Afridi told Arab News. He said these were people who could not return to Afghanistan due to 'vulnerabilities and safety concerns.' 'There are journalists, human rights activists, religious minorities, ethnic minorities, musicians, singers, or some people who have worked in previous governments, or they are female only families,' the UNHCR official added. 'We spoke with the Pakistani government, urging them not to send these people back to Afghanistan as their lives are at risk,' Afridi said, adding that the UN agency had also requested that the Pakistan government establish a mechanism to allow these individuals to live in the country temporarily. According to the foreign office, over 44,000 Afghans approved for relocation to Western countries were still in Pakistan, awaiting resettlement. The resettlement program has been active since the 1980s, with over 20,000 vulnerable refugees sent to third countries since.
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First Post
15-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Saudi Arabia has deported over 5,000 Pakistani beggars, interior minister tells parliament
Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi informed the country's National Assembly that Saudi Arabia has deported a total of 5,033 Pakistani beggars in the last 16 months read more An elderly man takes cover from cold weather while begging in front of Lohari Gate in Lahore. File Image / Reuters A total of 5,033 Pakistani beggars were deported from Saudi Arabia in the span of 16 months, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told the National Assembly on Wednesday. The remarks from Naqvi came as a written reply to a question raised by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MNA Sehar Kamran, Dawn reported. In the written response, Naqvi noted that another 369 individuals have been apprehended for begging in five other countries, mainly in West Asia. The data provided by the minister showed that a total of 5,402 Pakistanis have been deported from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) since January 2024. Whereas, 552 have returned to Pakistan this year. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Interestingly, Kamran sought data for the last three years, but the minister provided the details of the period starting from January 2024. According to the province-wise break-up, the data shows that most of those deported from these nations belong to Sindh province. According to Dawn, a total of 2,795 people from the province are among those deported from these countries on begging charges, whereas the number of such people belonging to Punjab stands at 1,437. Saudi Arabia deported the largest number of Pakistani beggars As per the data, as many as 1,002 people deported were from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 125 from Balochistan, 33 from Azad Kashmir and 10 from Islamabad. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has the highest number of Pakistanis repatriated from it. The second is from Iraq, where 247 Pakistanis were sent back home. Meanwhile, the UAE, which raised the issue with the Pakistani government, was third on the list. It is pertinent to note that the UAE has imposed strict restrictions on visas for Pakistani nationals. Despite all the measures, the country has so far deported 58 such individuals during this period. Meanwhile, in response to a separate question raised by Anjum Aqeel Khan of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the interior minister informed the National Assembly that over one million ' illegal Afghans ', including those possessing Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC), had been repatriated since November 2023 under the Illegal Foreigner's Repatriation Plan (IFRP). 'The IFRP has been approved by the federal government. Every sovereign state retains the right to deport illegal foreigners to safeguard its borders and national security," Naqvi said in the response, as reported by Dawn.
Express Tribune
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Sindh announces special unit to handle cases of social media misuse
Listen to article Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday announced the creation of a Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), as well as a new Centre for Excellence to counter violent extremism. The announcements were made during the 32nd apex committee meeting chaired by CM Murad at the Chief Minister's House. The high-level meeting was attended by provincial ministers, security officials, and representatives from key federal and provincial departments. The social media authority will be empowered to regulate unlawful or offensive content, enforce content standards, manage platform registration, and recommend full or partial blocking of platforms. It will also have the authority to direct concerned departments to remove harmful online content. 'This step is aimed at ensuring digital safety and protecting the rights of individuals on social media,' the chief minister stated. The provincial government also revealed plans to establish a Centre for Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism, which will focus on research, strategy, and policy development to combat extremism. The centre will support terror financing investigations for the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and help counter online radicalisation, hate speech, and youth delinquency. CM Murad instructed the home secretary to present the draft legislation for the centre at the next cabinet meeting. The chief minister also called for enhanced coordination with Punjab and Balochistan to conduct joint operations against bandits in the riverine areas. Discussing the repatriation of illegal foreign nationals, Shah said the provincial government had completed the first phase of the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP), deporting over 85,000 undocumented individuals during 2023–24. Transit centres for repatriation were set up in Karachi, Hyderabad, and Jacobabad under the supervision of respective deputy commissioners. Expressing concern over the rising number of road accidents and recent arson incidents involving oil tankers and dumpers, CM Murad ordered law enforcement to strictly enforce traffic regulations and apprehend those responsible for sabotage.
Asia Times
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Asia Times
Pakistan mercilessly removing its Afghan refugee crisis
Pakistan's Illegal Foreigners Return Program (IFRP) has led to the deportation of over 800,000 Afghans since November 2023, making it one of the largest mass deportations in recent history. While the Pakistani government cites security concerns and links undocumented Afghans to rising terrorism, human rights organizations argue that many deportees, including former Afghan government employees, women activists, and journalists, face persecution under the Taliban. Pakistan has introduced a deadline of March 31, 2025, for Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders and undocumented foreigners to leave the country voluntarily, with deportations to commence afterward. In contrast, Afghan refugees holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, recognized by the UNHCR, have been allowed to stay in Pakistan until June 30, 2025. While the government has assured that the eviction process will be conducted with dignity, concerns remain regarding the treatment of vulnerable groups, including women and children. Authorities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have issued formal notices instructing Afghan nationals to cease operations and vacate their premises. Consequently, many schools, colleges, and businesses in areas such as Nasir Bagh Road, Board Bazaar, Urmar, Phandu Road, Afghan Colony, and Chamkani have been shut down. Many Afghan students have already left for Afghanistan, while others remain in limbo, uncertain about their future. The closure of educational institutions, medical clinics and other businesses has disrupted the lives of many Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan. Despite international calls for leniency, Islamabad has maintained that all undocumented foreign nationals must comply with the legal requirements or face removal. According to the World Food Programme. Afghanistan grapples with food shortages affecting 14.8 million people, signifying a worsening humanitarian crisis. Reports indicate that deported families often endure severe hardships due to inadequate shelter and limited employment opportunities upon their return. Pakistani authorities have attributed the deportation initiative to a surge in militancy and criminal activity, frequently citing Afghan nationals as a source of security concerns. The government has also emphasized the economic burden posed by undocumented migrants, citing limited housing, healthcare and employment opportunities for its citizens. With inflation soaring and economic pressures mounting, officials argue that removing undocumented foreigners could help stabilize the country's economy. Despite the deportation drive, legal protection for registered Afghan refugees remains a contested issue. Over the decades, political instability and conflict in Afghanistan has often been rooted in historical disputes like the Durand Line established in 1893, which Afghanistan has never officially recognized. It is viewed by many in Afghanistan as a colonial imposition that fragmented Pashtun and Baloch communities. Since Pakistan's inception in 1947, Afghanistan has challenged the legitimacy of the border, contributing to persistent bilateral tensions. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 marked a turning point, as Pakistan emerged as a key player in the conflict by supporting the Afghan mujahideen with substantial backing from the United States and Saudi Arabia. This period witnessed the first large-scale influx of Afghan refugees into Pakistan, with estimates ranging from three to five million. Though Pakistan initially welcomed the Afghan refugees, over time, geopolitical tensions, cross-border militancy and domestic security concerns shifted its stance. The situation worsened after the 2014 Army Public School attack in Peshawar, carried out by Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Pakistan believed operated from Afghan soil. This catalyzed a crackdown on Afghan refugees, leading to the forced return of over 365,000 people in 2016. Despite Pakistan's claims of aligning with US anti-terror efforts, it was frequently accused of covertly supporting the Afghan Taliban, straining its relationship with US-backed Afghan governments and further complicating the refugee situation. While Pakistan later partnered with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to document and register undocumented Afghan nationals, the refugee crisis remains deeply entangled with broader Afghanistan-Pakistan political and security dynamics. After the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in August 2021, millions of Afghans fled the country, with Iran and Pakistan being the primary cross-border destinations. Iran provided refuge to over 1 million new arrivals and Pakistan around 600,000. However, both countries have since implemented restrictive measures, including the deportation of undocumented Afghans. Several Western countries, including the US, Canada, the UK and Germany, took in tens of thousands of Afghan refugees through emergency evacuations and resettlement programs. The US evacuated over 122,000 people and resettled more than 85,000 Afghans. Canada and the UK aimed to resettle 40,000 and 20,000, respectively, while Greece became a refuge, especially for Afghan women. Despite these efforts, many refugees still face legal uncertainty and limited access to services. The US Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program, established in 2009 for Afghans who assisted US missions, became all the more critical after the Taliban's takeover. However, in January 2025, President Donald Trump suspended refugee resettlement programs, including the SIV process, creating disruption and uncertainty for many approved applicants. UNHCR data indicates that the majority of Afghan refugees continue to settle in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan due to their geographical proximity to Afghanistan and strong kinship ties. As a result, over 80% of Afghan refugees in Pakistan reside in these two provinces, where they have established various businesses. The visa process has slowed significantly due to a surge in applications at Pakistan's embassy in Kabul. Security concerns have further complicated the relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Since February 2022, tensions along the Durand Line have intensified, resulting in periodic clashes between Afghan and Pakistani border security forces. The violent clashes at the Torkham crossing in March 2025 between Pakistan's Frontier Corps and Taliban border guards further highlight the ongoing border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. As diplomatic relations between Islamabad and Kabul continue to decline, Pakistan has imposed additional restrictions on Afghan refugees. By June 2023, the UNHCR reported that 1.33 million Afghan refugees remained in Pakistan, with 52.6% residing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 24.1% in Balochistan. As Islamabad continues its crackdown on Afghan refugees, the future of thousands of displaced individuals remains uncertain. UN experts have consistently criticized Pakistan's Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan, introduced in September 2023, which has compelled hundreds of thousands of Afghans to abandon their lives and return to Afghanistan. As the March 31 deadline approached, the UN reported a troubling rise in arrests of Afghans. Severe hardships, including mass detentions, confiscation of property, destruction of identity documents and allegations of misconduct such as harassment, abuse and bribery, have marked the deportation process of Afghan refugees from Pakistan. These actions have significantly increased the vulnerabilities faced by Afghan refugees and asylum seekers. Upon deportation, these individuals face substantial challenges in reintegrating into Afghan society, particularly in accessing education and employment, and achieving socio-economic stability. These difficulties are further exacerbated by the Taliban's restrictive policies on the fundamental human rights of women and girls, as highlighted in Amnesty reports from 2023. In Pakistan, 49 detention centers have been established to hold Afghan nationals before deportation. However, these facilities were not set up under a specific legal framework, raising concerns about the legality and conditions within these centers. This situation highlights the need for a more humane and legally grounded approach to handling the deportation process. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has outlined a significant commitment through the 2024-2025 Regional Refugee Response Plan, aiming to support 4.8 million Afghan refugees and 2.5 million members of their host communities. This plan is crucial in addressing the pressing needs of Afghan refugees, particularly in light of the challenges they face, including deportations and socio-economic instability. As security concerns, economic strain and humanitarian crises persist, the future of Afghan refugees and Pakistan-Afghanistan relations remains highly uncertain. Although Pakistan is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and lacks a formal legal framework for the protection of refugees, it is still expected to uphold international legal standards in its treatment of displaced individuals. This includes ensuring that detention practices respect human rights and maintain the dignity of all persons, regardless of their legal status. While Afghanistan's internal instability is primarily driven by its domestic challenges, Pakistan remains a key actor in the region and has a significant role to play in promoting stability. Moreover, the risk of Afghanistan once again becoming a base for terrorist activities presents a serious concern for the broader international community. As such, addressing the persistent tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan is not only essential for regional peace but also for global security. Akanksha Meena is a PhD Scholar at the Centre for Inner Asian Studies, J.N.U.
Express Tribune
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Govt advises Afghan Citizen Card holders to leave by March 31
Police officers, along with workers from the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), check the identity cards of Afghan citizens during a door-to-door search and verification drive for undocumented Afghan nationals, in an Afghan Camp on the outskirts of Karachi, Pakistan, November 21, 2023. Photo: REUTERS/ File Listen to article The government announced on Friday that it will repatriate Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders as part of its ongoing Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Programme (IFRP), which began on November 1, 2023. In a statement, authorities advised all illegal foreign nationals, including ACC holders, to leave Pakistan voluntarily by March 31. Deportation procedures will commence from April 1 for those who fail to comply. The government stated that the repatriation process will be conducted in a humane manner, ensuring the dignified return of all affected individuals. "Sufficient time has been granted for a voluntary return," the statement read, adding, "Arrangements for food and healthcare have also been made for returning foreign nationals." Pakistan has long been a host to Afghan refugees and continues to uphold its international responsibilities. However, officials reiterated that those wishing to remain in the country must meet legal requirements and abide by Pakistan's constitution. Under the IFRP, all undocumented foreigners, including Afghans, are being repatriated. Afghan nationals sponsored by European or other foreign countries will not be deported for now, but if their resettlement plans are not finalised soon, they too could face deportation, according to sources from the Ministry of Interior. As part of the programme, 781 Afghan nationals have already been repatriated from Islamabad via the Torkham border.
