Latest news with #ProofofResidence
Express Tribune
06-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
6,700 Afghan nationals deported from Pakistan since April 1st
Afghan refugees wait in a queue to cross the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Torkham on October 27, 2023. PHOTO: AFP Listen to article The repatriation of Afghan refugees continues as the deadline set by the government has passed, with 944 foreign families, comprising 6,700 individuals, deported from Pakistan since April 1st. Immigration sources reported that these individuals were transported to the Landi Kotal transit camp, where they underwent necessary processing before being deported through the Torkham border. Among those deported, 2,874 men, 1,755 women, and 2,071 children have returned to Afghanistan. The repatriation, which began on September 17th 2023, has seen a total of 70,494 Afghan families, representing 469,159 individuals, return to their homeland. In addition to the deportations, a police crackdown in Rawalpindi continues, targeting Afghan nationals residing illegally in the country. Since the beginning of April, 353 Afghan nationals have been detained for lacking valid residence documentation. The authorities have been focusing on those without Proof of Residence (PoR) cards and those with expired Afghan Citizen Cards. This ongoing operation has intensified the security measures at the Golra Mor holding centre, where detained Afghan nationals are being processed for deportation. The authorities have stated that the crackdown will continue, with further operations planned in the coming days. Earlier, Law enforcement agencies had intensified operations across several cities to facilitate the repatriation of Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders, particularly after the voluntary return period ended. Many Afghan-run shops and offices in commercial areas, especially in Peshawar, had remained closed, as businesses owned by Afghan nationals shut down following Eid. Authorities had also conducted a national re-verification campaign, with dozens of Afghan individuals having their Pakistani identity cards cancelled. A major crackdown was expected after April 11, with arrests likely to begin soon. In Rawalpindi, over 50 Afghan nationals holding ACCs were detained, transferred to temporary camps, and were set to be repatriated. In Karachi, similar operations had taken place, with 162 ACC holders already detained and taken to a holding facility. The operation targeted an estimated 16,138 individuals nationwide, with authorities confirming that some individuals with Proof of Registration (POR) cards had been released. The crackdown was ongoing, with law enforcement agencies conducting daily operations to ensure compliance with the government's deportation policy.
Khaleej Times
09-03-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
Pakistan asks illegal foreigners, Afghan Citizen Card holders to leave by Mar 31
Pakistan's interior ministry on Friday asked all "illegal foreigners" and Afghan Citizen Card holders to leave the country before March 31, warning they would otherwise be deported from April 1. Islamabad has in the past blamed militant attacks and crimes on Afghan citizens, who form the largest portion of migrants in the country. Kabul has rejected the accusations. "Pakistan has been a gracious host and continues to fulfil its commitments and obligations as a responsible state," the country's interior ministry said in a statement. "It is reiterated that individuals staying in Pakistan will have to fulfil all legal formalities." Pakistan launched its repatriation drive of foreign citizens, most of whom are Afghan, in 2023, but had said they were first focusing on foreigners with no legal documentation. More than 800,000 Afghans hold an Afghan Citizen Card in Pakistan, according to UN data. Another roughly 1.3 million are formally registered with the Pakistan government and hold a separate Proof of Residence card. The statement did not specify how PoR holders would be affected. The UN says that more than 800,000 Afghans have returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan since the repatriation drive began and that in total Pakistan hosted around 2.8 million Afghan refugees who crossed the border during 40 years of conflict in their homeland. Among those are tens of thousands of Afghans in the process for resettlement to the United States and other Western nations following their withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 as the Taliban took over.
Arab News
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan asks illegal foreigners, Afghan Citizen Card holders to leave by March 31
Islamabad has in the past blamed militant attacks and crimes on Afghan citizens'Pakistan has been a gracious host and continues to fulfil its commitments and obligations as a responsible state,' the country's interior ministry said ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's interior ministry on Friday asked all 'illegal foreigners' and Afghan Citizen Card holders to leave the country before March 31, warning they would otherwise be deported from April has in the past blamed militant attacks and crimes on Afghan citizens, who form the largest portion of migrants in the country. Kabul has rejected the accusations.'Pakistan has been a gracious host and continues to fulfil its commitments and obligations as a responsible state,' the country's interior ministry said in a statement. 'It is reiterated that individuals staying in Pakistan will have to fulfil all legal formalities.'Pakistan launched its repatriation drive of foreign citizens, most of whom are Afghan, in 2023, but had said they were first focusing on foreigners with no legal than 800,000 Afghans hold an Afghan Citizen Card in Pakistan, according to UN data. Another roughly 1.3 million are formally registered with the Pakistan government and hold a separate Proof of Residence card. The statement did not specify how PoR holders would be UN says that more than 800,000 Afghans have returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan since the repatriation drive began and that in total Pakistan hosted around 2.8 million Afghan refugees who crossed the border during 40 years of conflict in their those are tens of thousands of Afghans in the process for resettlement to the United States and other Western nations following their withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 as the Taliban took over.
