Sharjeel Memon states illegal immigrants repatriated after thorough verification from Amin House Transit Camp
KARACHI: Sindh has deported 307 illegal Afghan immigrants as part of the government’s ongoing campaign to repatriate all undocumented foreign nationals, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon announced on Sunday.
In a statement, Memon revealed that the deportation process involved thorough verification, legal proceedings, and background checks. The deported individuals, who were repatriated from the Amin House Transit Camp, included 191 men, 37 women, and 79 children.
The federal government launched the second phase of its deportation program in early March, announcing that 800,000 Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) would be canceled. This follows the deportation of 800,000 undocumented Afghans earlier, as part of an effort to address security concerns in Pakistan. Despite the return of many Afghans in recent years, over 2.1 million Afghan nationals are still residing in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other provinces.
The government had set March 31 as the deadline for all illegal Afghan nationals, including those with ACC cards, to leave the country amid escalating terrorism-related incidents. In 2023, Pakistan witnessed the deadliest year in nearly a decade, with over 1,600 people killed in attacks, nearly half of whom were security personnel.
Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Taliban government of not doing enough to eliminate militant groups operating from Afghan soil, though the Taliban denies these allegations.
On February 13, the interior ministry instructed the Sindh government to begin the repatriation process for all ACC holders under the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP). As of April 1, “forced repatriation” began after the expiration of the voluntary return period.
Memon, in his statement, confirmed that an initial list of 313 individuals had been compiled, and after screening, 307 were found eligible for deportation. He emphasized that only those residing illegally in the country are being deported.
The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to the ongoing repatriation campaign in alignment with international laws and protocols. “Pakistan is repatriating illegal immigrants in accordance with global principles,” he said, adding that the operation in Sindh will continue.
Afghan Refugees in Pakistan
Data gathered by Geo News shows that there are currently 2.1 million registered and unregistered Afghan refugees in Pakistan. The Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (Safron) reports that 1.4 million Afghan refugees are legally registered, while 800,000 Afghan nationals hold ACC cards, but their stay is now considered illegal.
The government estimates that the total number of Afghan refugees in Pakistan is closer to 3 million, all of whom are scheduled for repatriation under the ongoing deportation plan.
Categories of Afghan Nationals in Pakistan
Afghan nationals residing in Pakistan fall into four categories:
- Refugees with Proof of Registration (PoR): Approximately 1.3 million Afghans who fled instability and were granted official refugee status. These refugees hold PoR cards, which were issued in 2007 and are valid until June 30, 2025.
- Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) Holders: Around 800,000 individuals who were granted ACCs in 2016. These individuals are now part of the deportation efforts due to their illegal status.
- Afghans who arrived after the Taliban takeover in 2021: These individuals were granted asylum under international protocols. While the Pakistani government claims 600,000 arrived after the US withdrawal, the UNHCR records only 200,000 as officially registered.
- Undocumented Afghans: This group includes individuals who lack PoR or ACC status and are not recognized as asylum seekers from the 2021 influx. Many of these people have obtained fraudulent national identity cards. Over the past two years, the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) has been canceling these IDs through its National Verification and Renewal Drive, classifying them as illegal residents.
The government’s repatriation plan aims to address these groups and ensure that all illegal Afghan nationals are returned to their home country.
