Latest news with #IllegalForeignersRepatriationProgramme
The Hindu
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Pakistan warns Afghan citizens, illegal foreigners to leave voluntarily
Pakistan on Wednesday (June 11, 2025) warned Afghan citizens and all illegal foreigners to voluntarily leave the country and issued a stern warning against those obstructing the repatriation process. 'Dignified treatment is being ensured for those returning to their home countries,' a statement by the Interior Ministry said, adding that arrangements have been made for their food and healthcare needs, particularly for women, children, and the elderly. Earlier this year, the Interior Ministry asked all 'illegal foreigners' and Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders to leave Pakistan before March 31, warning that they would otherwise be deported from April 1. ACC is a document launched in 2017 to grant temporary legal status to Afghan refugees. Authorities subsequently started deporting thousands of Afghan nationals from all parts of the country. A total of 11,02,441 illegal foreigners have been sent back since the launch of the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Programme (IFRP) on April 1, 2025, according to the Interior Ministry's statement. The statement also warns individuals against 'employing illegal foreigners, providing them rental accommodations or hotel stays, or engaging in business with them.' 'Such violators will be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law,' the Ministry added. Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghan refugees who crossed the border during 40 years of conflict in their homeland. Since November 2023, Pakistan has repatriated approximately 1.3 million Afghan refugees in the deportation drive launched. Around 3 million Afghan refugees were residing in Pakistan. Of these, 8,13,000 hold ACC cards while 1.3 million possess Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, officials have said earlier.
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.
