Taliban authorities in Afghanistan have beseeched Pakistan to allow undocumented Afghan nationals residing in the country more time to depart, amidst intensifying pressure at border posts where a multitude of returnees have congregated in fear of impending deportation. The Pakistani administration had previously stipulated a deadline of November 1 for the voluntary departure of 1.7 million unregistered Afghans, following which forced removal would ensue.
Pakistani border officials have reported that the initial mandate issued at the beginning of October has led to the exit of over 130,000 individuals, causing congestion at various crossing points. Although Taliban officials expressed gratitude towards Pakistan and other nations for providing refuge to millions of Afghans amid several decades of strife, they implored these countries not to hastily deport Afghans, but rather grant them sufficient time to make necessary arrangements.
Pakistan has communicated its intention to initiate a campaign to locate and expel any individual still present in the country post-deadline, including numerous Afghan refugees. Nasir Khan, the deputy commissioner of the area bordering Afghanistan, stated that approximately 104,000 Afghan nationals left via the primary Torkham border crossing over the previous fortnight. He added, “Some of them have been residing in Pakistan for over three decades without any proof of registration.”
Pakistan’s interior ministry disclosed that 140,322 individuals who had been residing illegally in the country have departed. The ministry announced that the process of arresting and deporting foreigners would commence by November 1, although they would continue to encourage voluntary return. The Pakistani government estimates that out of more than four million Afghans dwelling in Pakistan, 1.7 million are undocumented.
With the Taliban now in power, they have called upon Afghans to return home, while simultaneously criticising Pakistan’s actions, arguing that their nationals are bearing the brunt of the strained relations between Islamabad and Kabul. Pakistan has defended its deportation policy as a measure to safeguard its “welfare and security” following a surge in attacks, which it attributes to militant groups operating from Afghanistan. The Taliban has discredited this assertion, insisting that Afghans residing abroad have neither jeopardised the security of host countries nor instigated instability.
Afghan border officials at the Torkham crossing are contending with an “emergency situation” due to the influx of returnees. A makeshift settlement has emerged near the border post, where individuals are forced to sleep outdoors and have limited access to basic necessities like food, water, and medication while they await registration. The government has set up a high commission to address this issue and has confirmed plans to establish two temporary camps in the vicinity of Torkham. The statement from the Taliban also appealed to affluent Afghans to collaborate with the high commission to assist returnees with transport, accommodation, and shelter provisions.
