The United Nations (UN) has called for the voluntary departure of refugees residing in Pakistan, urging authorities not to exert any pressure on them following the Pakistani caretaker government's decision to deport over 1.7mn "illegal immigrants" after the November 1 deadline.
"Any refugee return must be voluntary and without any pressure to ensure protection for those seeking safety,"
said Qaisar Khan Afridi, a spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Geo.tv reported.
The interim government's announcement came after revealing that 14 of the 24 suicide bombings in Pakistan this year were carried out by Afghan nationals. Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti stated that all illegal immigrants, including 1.73mn Afghan nationals, should leave the country voluntarily by November 1 or face forcible expulsion.
The UNHCR official expressed concern about press reports concerning a plan to deport undocumented Afghans and sought clarity from the government. Afridi emphasized the importance of ensuring that all Afghan nationals with international protection are not deported, given that Pakistan has generously hosted refugees for more than 40 years.
"We must also keep in mind that those fleeing persecution often do not have the necessary documents and travel permissions,"
he added.
The UNHCR is prepared to support Pakistan in developing a mechanism to manage and register people in need of international protection on its territory and address specific vulnerabilities. Pakistan has a long history of hosting refugees, particularly from Afghanistan, dating back to the Soviet invasion of Kabul in 1979.
Pakistan has received the largest influx of Afghan refugees, but it has also been a source of concern due to its alleged support for militants, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), using Afghan territory for training and planning attacks within Pakistan. The government's decision to address the issue of illegal immigration reflects its concerns about security and the ongoing violence in the region.
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