Islamabad:
In a major political decision, Pakistan gave Pakistan on Friday to the holders of the card of Afghan citizenship (ACC) a deadline of March 31 to leave the country or face the expulsion.
Reports made tricks that Pakistan planned to expel all Afghans in the country, but it was for the first time that the Interior Ministry officially confirmed development.
“The program of repatriation of illegal foreigners (IFRP) has been implemented since November 1, 2023. During the continuation of the government’s decision to repatriate all illegal foreigners, the national management has now decided to also repatriate the holders of the ACC,” read the official document of the Ministry of the Interior.
“All illegal foreigners and ACC holders are invited to leave the country voluntarily before March 31, 2025; subsequently, the deportation will begin on April 1, 2025,” added the statement.
The Interior Ministry said that sufficient time had already been granted for their worthy return. “It is pointed out that no one will be mistreated during the repatriation process and the arrangements for food and health care for return foreigners have also been put in place.”
“Pakistan has been a graceful host and continues to fulfill its commitments and obligations as a responsible state. It is reiterated that individuals staying in Pakistan will have to fulfill all legal formalities and respect the constitution of Pakistan,” he said.
More than 80, 0000 Afghans living in illegally Pakistan have been repatriated to their country since Pakistan launched the campaign in November 2023. Pakistan, however, spared those registered with UNHCR and those who had had the ACC.
It is estimated that around 3 million Afghans still reside in Pakistan. The Afghan government recently expressed its concerns about the forced expulsion of their nationals and the ill -treatment inflicted on them.
Pakistan, however, denied these accusations and asked the Government of the Afghan Taliban to create an environment in the country to encourage the return worthy of their compatriots.
This decision will be added to the links already tense between the two countries. Pakistan blamed Afghanistan for the sharp increase in terrorist attacks. Pakistan said that Afghan nationals were increasingly involved in terrorist attacks in the country.
Initial surveys have shown that Afghan nationals were also behind the recent terrorist attack targeting the canton of Bannu.
In addition, there have been exchanges of fire between Pakistan and Afghanistan at the Torkham border, which remained closed for two weeks.
The situation, according to sources, is tense on the key border which was closed on February 21 for a dispute on the construction of a new check by the Afghan Taliban.
Pakistan blamed the Afghan side for the closure of the border. “Over the past two days, the Afghan part has carried out an illegal and unilateral construction activity in the Pakistani territory two points along the Pakistani border,” said the spokesperson for the foreign office.
“Despite these provocations, Pakistan has shown restricted border flag meetings and asked to resolve the peacefully question that was finally held. However, it is regrettable that, alongside its illegal construction measures, the Afghan side has also resorted to a blind fire in Torkham Border Terminal and our military post,” he told journalists on Thursday.
He said Pakistan firmly condemned these provocations and repeated actions against the Torkham border terminal, which was part of the integrated public transport management system, created to promote bilateral and transit trade.
“The Afghan actions leading to the forced closure of the border transition to a moment of economic difficulties in Afghanistan are hardly sensible and will only worsen the situation. We therefore invite interim Afghan authorities to avoid violence and resolve peaceful issues, which, according to UN law and international law, is the most appropriate method to resolve any dispute between two neighboring countries.” “.
