Pakistan May Extend Deadline for Afghan Refugees Amid Deportation Plans

Pakistan is contemplating an extension to the imposed deadline for the repatriation of 1.4 million Afghan refugees residing legally within its borders, according to statements from officials on Monday.

The potential extension would offer relief to those facing a return mandate by the end of June, said governmental and security sources.

The decision is anticipated to occur during a Cabinet meeting scheduled for Tuesday.

Earlier this year, Pakistan initiated a controversial operation targeting foreigners, predominantly Afghan nationals, whom it claims are residing illegally.

Over the years, millions of Afghans have sought refuge from war or poverty by crossing into Pakistan.

Officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the discussions, indicated that the proposed extension aims to grant refugees additional time to arrange personal affairs, including property sales or business closures, ensuring a dignified and orderly return to Afghanistan .

According to a senior ministry official, the extension proposal was drafted last week, with a formal summary submitted for Cabinet consideration.

The Interior Ministry, responsible for the rigorous crackdown on Afghans, has yet to issue a statement.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry has also remained silent, though it had earlier urged Afghan authorities to facilitate a smooth integration for returning citizens.

Earlier this year, Pakistan declared an intention to expel around three million Afghans, comprising 1.4 million individuals holding Proof of Registration cards and approximately 800,000 with Afghan Citizen Cards.

An additional one million Afghans are believed to be residing in the country without necessary documentation.

The Ministry of States and Frontier Regions has recommended a six-month reprieve for those with Proof of Registration cards, submitting this suggestion to the federal authorities.

Pakistan's expulsion strategy has met with significant criticism from the United Nations and human rights organizations.

The International Organisation for Migration expressed concerns on Monday about Afghanistan's ability to accommodate a large influx of returnees, warning of potential strains on local systems already nearing collapse.

Human Rights Watch has alleged instances of arbitrary detention and forced deportations of Afghans, who, it claims, face harassment under the Taliban regime that overtook power in Afghanistan in 2021.

The UN refugee agency noted that at least 1.2 million Afghans have been compelled to leave Iran and Pakistan this year alone.

The agency cautioned that mass repatriations could destabilize Afghanistan's already fragile environment. — Euronews