Pakistan is preparing to accelerate the exile of Afghan refugees after Eid holidays. The deadline for refugees, including Afghan citizen card holders, voluntarily returned to their country ended on 31 March. Reports suggest that the process of sending refugees due to Eid holidays could not be formally started.
Two days exemption given for the festival holidays created some confusion in the official circles. It was also stated that the reporting time limit was extended but Pakistan’s internal ministry official denied these claims and said that no expansion was done.
Pakistan’s leading newspaper ‘Don’ quoted a senior officer of Afghan Commissionerate in Peshawar as saying, ” "Although the last date was 31 March, keeping Eid in mind, the provincial government extended it till 2 April. Now, Charan will start from 2 (Thursday) and we have set up a camp each on Landi Kotal and Nasir Bagh Road."
Despite the appeal of the international community to extend the deadline, Pakistan officials refused to take back their steps.
The government also dismissed the concerns raised by the United Nations Refugee High Commissioner (UNHCR) and other agencies regarding the collective repatriation of Afghan refugees and refuge seekers.
UNHCR spokesperson Kaiser Khan Afridi said that the UN agency is concerned about the instructions of the government, because Afghan civilian card holders may have individuals who may need international security.
At the same time, the Taliban government appealed not to start the process of sending Afghan citizens back from Islamabad on Tuesday. Afghanistan’s refugee and repatriation minister Mawalvi Abdul Kabir urged the neighboring countries Pakistan and Iran to stop these exile and to allow Afghans to return home voluntarily.
Many international organizations condemned Pakistan’s exile policy. He expressed concern over the serious risks faced by refugees in the midst of uncertainties in Afghanistan.