ISLAMABAD: The deadline of Pakistan’s government for undocumented and illegal immigrants, including Afghan refugees, to voluntarily return to their native countries expired today, October 31, 2023.
The caretaker government’s advisory, issued about a month ago, had urged all illegal immigrants of various nationalities to return voluntarily to their home countries. Despite this, a number of illegal immigrants remain in hiding, attempting to evade the government’s impending crackdown.
Pakistan’s Interim Minister for Interior, Sarfraz Bugti, during a press conference, warned that strict action would be taken against those attempting to escape, as well as against locals facilitating illegal immigrants within Pakistan.
Pakistan to Deport Illegal Immigrants
Bugti revealed that the government had accurately collected data on all illegal immigrants across the country using geo-fencing technology. Following the expiration of the deadline, people found to be undocumented will be detained and subsequently deported to their home countries after completing the necessary paperwork.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom’s government has pledged to resettle 2,000 Afghan refugees in Britain. The deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan began on October 26 through chartered flights. A total of 12 special charter flights have been scheduled to transfer 2,000 refugees to Britain by the end of December. These flights, accommodating 200 passengers each, are set to depart weekly.
To facilitate the process, Pakistan has established special counters for Afghan refugees at Islamabad Airport by the Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan. Landing and take-off arrangements for the chartered flights were coordinated through mutual consultations between British authorities and the CAA.
