Pakistan has officially announced the implementation of an $830 fee for undocumented refugees seeking to depart from the country. This exit fee specifically applies to individuals who entered without a visa. In October, Pakistan made headlines by declaring its intention to deport 1.7 mn undocumented foreigners if they failed to leave by the 1st of November. The majority of these individuals are Afghans, including hundreds of thousands who fled Afghanistan following the Taliban's resurgence in 2021.
Those with expired visas will be subject to charges based on the duration of their overstay. It is important to note that the exit fee does not apply to those returning to Afghanistan. Many Afghan refugees who sought shelter in Pakistan after the fall of Kabul have encountered difficulties in obtaining proper documentation, as highlighted by organizations such as Amnesty International.
In response to the situation, the UNHCR has been actively engaged in seeking a resolution. They are advocating for refugees to be exempt from these requirements, acknowledging Pakistan's commendable history of providing asylum and protection to Afghan refugees over several decades and urging its continuation.
A spokesperson from Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs defended the fees, stating that Pakistani laws, similar to immigration laws in other countries like the United Kingdom, include fines and penalties for individuals who overstay their visas or violate immigration laws. They affirmed that any fines imposed by Pakistan are in accordance with its laws.
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