Pakistan's Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, announced that the second phase of repatriating Afghan refugees will commence shortly. According to the Interior Ministry's statement, "No one will be allowed to remain in Pakistan without a visa or other legal documents." This action follows an earlier phase that began earlier this year.
Naqvi emphasized the role of international organizations in supporting the repatriation process. The Minister noted that Pakistan has long hosted Afghan refugees and affirmed that only those without proper documentation are subject to expulsion. The second phase of repatriation is expected to proceed in coordination with the UN and Afghan authorities.
Indrika Ratwatte, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Afghanistan, confirmed that the UN is working closely with Afghan officials to manage the return of refugees. The collaboration aims to ensure a well-organized process for those returning to Afghanistan.
The second phase may also involve the expulsion of Afghan citizens with Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC). Afghan refugees in Pakistan have raised concerns about the adequacy of conditions in Afghanistan for their return. The Afghan Embassy in Islamabad has reported that it has not received formal notification regarding the start of the second expulsion phase. Sardar Ahmad Shaqib, Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy, stated that the Pakistani government has consistently maintained that only undocumented individuals are subject to expulsion.
In light of the situation, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation has proposed a trilateral meeting involving the UN and the Pakistani government. This meeting aims to address the issues faced by Afghan refugees and explore potential solutions to facilitate their repatriation.
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