Pakistan has issued directives to arrest illegal Afghan nationals residing in the country without valid documents, with enforcement set to begin on July 10. The order was communicated through an official notification from the Ministry of Interior on Sunday.
Implementation Across Provinces
The notification instructs chief secretaries and inspectors general of police (IGPs) of all four provinces—Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan—as well as the Islamabad administration to ensure strict compliance with the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP). This plan aims to identify and deport undocumented foreign nationals, primarily Afghans, who have been living in Pakistan without legal status.
Background of the IFRP
The IFRP was initially launched in 2023 to address the presence of an estimated 1.7 million undocumented Afghan refugees and migrants in Pakistan. The plan has faced criticism from human rights organizations, but the government maintains it is necessary for national security and administrative order. The latest directive underscores the urgency of the operation, setting a clear deadline for provincial authorities to act.
Impact on Afghan Community
According to official estimates, over 800,000 Afghan nationals have returned to Afghanistan since the plan's inception, but many remain. The new orders could accelerate arrests and deportations, affecting families who have lived in Pakistan for decades. Human rights groups have urged Pakistan to ensure due process and avoid mass expulsions.
The government has not specified how many individuals are targeted in this phase, but the directive calls for coordinated efforts between provincial police and federal agencies to locate and detain illegal foreigners.
