Pakistan and Afghanistan are Asian countries that border each other.
Pakistan is bordered on the East by India and on the West by Afghanistan.
Both are Islamic countries are also culturally similar.
On 3rd October 2023, Mr. Sarfaraz Bugti, the interior minister of the interim Pakistan government, announced that it has compiled data of all illegal migrants in Pakistan and will take action against them. All illegal immigrants were advised to leave the country voluntarily by November 1.
The interim government also mentioned that any illegal migrants / immigrants found staying in Pakistan on November 2nd would be arrested, housed in temporary deportation centers, and then deported.
People who chose to leave voluntarily would be provided assistance. They would be helped with identity papers, currency exchange, and food and provisions for the 2-3 days of journey.
Many of these immigrants are Afghani. While some have been living in Pakistan for decades (since the Soviet invasion of Kabul in 1979), many others moved to Pakistan to avoid the Taliban regime.
Some of them listed with the UN as international refugees and were given legal status in Pakistan. The United Nations also gives a monthly aid to each recognised refugee.
The exact number of Afghanis in Pakistan is not officially announced. By some estimates, Pakistan is home to about 4 million Afghanis, of which about 1.7 million are undocumented.
As people realised the seriousness of Pakistani administration, the Afghan border saw a massive influx of Afghanis wanting to return.
Why Afghanis?
The government of Pakistan has said that the order is not specifically targeting Afghanis. It applies to all illegal immigrants from all countries.
Pakistan and Afghanistan share a long border – 2,611 kilometers on land. The border is completely fenced by Pakistan.
Why is this a problem?
The Taliban administration of Afghanistan and the United Nations have both requested Pakistan to reconsider its stance.
This is because it is not possible to provide homes and infrastructure to over 1.5 million people within a month.
On the Pakistan side, the immigrants have indicated that it will take them much longer than a month to sell their houses, businesses, etc., collect their educational credentials for students still in college or school, and prepare to leave.
Pakistan’s response
Pakistan has remained steadfast in its communication. Over the last two weeks, according to the Afghan embassy, it has also arrested some Afghanis.
What is the situation now?
All Pakistan – Afghanistan check posts are working to process people returning to Afghanistan.
Afghanistan has mentioned that many people are entering at the Torkhan check post without having their documents checked because of the crowding.
On October 27th, the Afghanis staged a protest at the Chaman border against this order. However, the order remains in force. Therefore, the exit continues.
Throughout October, the Embassy of Afghanistan in Islamabad (the Pakistani capital) has been working hard to provide passports and other identity documents to Afghanis wanting to return.
The Embassy has also tried to work with the Pakistan government to delay the process or give it more time. This effort has not been successful.
A brief history of the issue
After the Soviet attack on Kabul in 1979, about 62% of all refugees moved towards Pakistan. The remaining moved to Iran.
They were housed in camps along the border.
Over years, Afghanis have moved to Pakistan in batches.
Usually, the accommodation started in camps, and then they found jobs within the Pakistani economy and settled down – acquiring education, property, and forming connections.
In recent years, a Pakistani arm of the Taliban has been started.
Pakistan feels that some Afghanis facilitate the movement of drugs, illegal weapons, and terror in Pakistan.
This charge is denied by both the Afghanis living in Pakistan, and the Taliban regime / Afghan embassy in Pakistan.