Islamabad: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) — along with the UN Refugee Agency, International Organization for Migration, and the UN Migration Agency — in a joint statement on Saturday called on Pakistan to maintain protection for “vulnerable Afghans” seeking safety, emphasising the imminent risks they face if forcibly returned.
The appeal from the UN’s humanitarian agencies working with migrants and refugees comes in response to Pakistan’s ultimatum asking all illegal migrants to leave its territory by November 1 or face eviction.
Islamabad is currently expediting efforts to repatriate illegal Afghan nationals, while the Foreign Office reiterated that the country’s policy on Afghan refugees remains unaltered.
“We continue to host 1.4 million Afghan refugees with exemplary generosity and empathy despite resource constraints, and economic challenges. As the situation in Afghanistan stabilises, we believe that it is the right time to upscale international efforts to create conditions conducive to the voluntary repatriation of Afghan refugees with honour and dignity,” the FO spokesperson said.
The meeting comes days after the interim government has set November 1 as the deadline for illegal immigrants to leave the country; otherwise, action will be taken against them.
Pakistan’s decision to expel refugees has been criticised by the Taliban administration in Kabul, which has asked that the country reconsider plans.