Crackdown Begins Against Illegal Migrants in Pakistan

Recently, Pakistan has taken strict action against illegal immigrants living in the country. Thousands of undocumented foreigners had been given a deadline to leave and as that deadline expired, the government launched a crackdown on these immigrants. This move aims to address various issues, including crimes and security concerns.

Many of them were illegal immigrants from Afghanistan.  Some of them have lived in Pakistan for a long time. The Pakistani government decided it is time for them to return to their home countries. as they were found to be involved in criminal activities.

In Karachi, authorities detained four illegal Afghan immigrants and moved them to a holding center, where they will complete legal formalities before being repatriated to Afghanistan. In other parts of the country, including Balochistan’s Chaman area, illegal immigrants were also detained and transferred to holding centers.

The government has encouraged illegal foreigners to  return to their countries, and some have heeded this call. As of now, over 104,000 Afghan refugees living illegally in Pakistan have already returned to Afghanistan, including men, women and children.


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The Pakistani government has set up holding centers with the necessary facilities to process the legal requirements for deportation. Biometric verification and other formalities are being handled by the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra).


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While the crackdown is going on in the country, there have been calls from human rights defenders asking  the government to take care of national and international human rights commitments when dealing with Afghan asylum seekers. These advocates have requested that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) expedite the processing of asylum applications filed by foreigners residing in Pakistan, particularly Afghan human rights defenders. This crackdown was imported for the safety of the country.