Islamabad (TDI): In a major development, Pakistan on Friday gave Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders a March 31 deadline to leave the country or face deportation.
Reports were doing rounds that Pakistan was planning to evict all Afghans from the country but this was for the first time the Interior Ministry officially confirmed the development.
Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Program is being implemented since November 1, 2023. In continuation of the government’s policy to repatriate all illegal foreigners, it has now decided to also repatriate ACC holders, the interior ministry said in a statement.
“All illegal foreigners and ACC holders are advised to leave Pakistan voluntarily before March 31, 2025; thereafter, deportation will be started on April 1, 2025,” the statement added.
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It said that sufficient time had already been granted for their dignified return.
The ministry stressed that no one will be maltreated during the repatriation process and preparations for food and healthcare for returning foreigners have also been put in place.
Pakistan has been a gracious host and continues to fulfill its obligations as a responsible country. It is reiterated that foreigners staying in Pakistan will have to fulfill all legal formalities and abide by the country’s constitution,” it said.
Over 80, 0000 Afghans living in Pakistan illegally were repatriated to their country since Pakistan started the drive in November 2023.
Pakistan, however, spared those who were registered with the UNHCR and ones who had ACC.
It is estimated that approximately 3 million Afghans still reside in Pakistan.
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The Afghan government recently raised concerns over the forced deportation of their citizens and alleged mistreatment being meted out to them.
Islamabad, however, denied those charges and asked the Afghan Taliban government to create conditions in the country to encourage the dignified return of their nationals.
