Pakistani officials began gathering illegal migrants on Wednesday, November 1, before the midnight deadline for their expulsion. Afghans make up a significant portion of the approximately 140,000 migrants who have voluntarily left Pakistan. Some of these migrants have lived in Pakistan for decades. Despite requests from the United Nations, human rights groups, and Western embassies for reconsideration, Pakistan set the November 1 deadline last month to begin expelling all illegal migrants, including hundreds of thousands of Afghans. The Pakistani Ministry of Interior stated that the process of detaining foreigners for expulsion would start on November 1 and added that voluntary return would still be encouraged. Hours after the Ministry's statement, officials began collecting illegal foreign nationals and transferring them to transit centers. Reuters witnesses saw police bringing several individuals in police vehicles. Inside the center, officials had set up tents to shelter the gathered individuals. Media were not allowed access inside. The Pakistani government estimates that about half of the 4 million Afghans living in the country lack documentation. Many Afghans fled decades of internal conflict since the late 1970s, while the Taliban's takeover following the U.S. withdrawal in 2021 led to another wave of migration. Pakistan has stated that Afghan nationals have been behind militant attacks, smuggling, and other crimes in this South Asian country, but the Taliban has denied these accusations. According to Reuters, the wave of returning Afghan refugees continues as the Taliban has requested all host countries to give them more time to return to their homeland. Previously, the United Nations and human rights groups expressed concern about Pakistan's plans to expel Afghan migrants, stating that hundreds of thousands of refugees at risk of expulsion fled Afghanistan to escape Taliban persecution. Afghan refugees are reluctant to return to Afghanistan due to the extensive restrictions imposed by the Taliban on women's work and education. The Taliban called Pakistan's decision to expel 1.7 million Afghan migrants 'unacceptable.'
Pakistan Expels Afghan Migrants Ahead of Deadline
Pakistan has begun expelling Afghan migrants ahead of a November 1 deadline, despite international calls for reconsideration. This move affects a significant number of Afghans who have lived in Pakistan for years, raising concerns about their safety and the humanitarian implications. The Taliban has condemned the expulsion as unacceptable.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Pakistan has begun expelling Afghan migrants ahead of a November 1 deadline, despite international calls for reconsideration. This action affects many Afghans who have lived in Pakistan for years and raises significant humanitarian concerns.
- Approximately 140,000 migrants have voluntarily left Pakistan since the announcement.
- The Taliban has condemned the expulsion, calling it 'unacceptable.'
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Afghanistan has faced decades of conflict, leading to significant migration, particularly after the Taliban's return to power. Many Afghans in Pakistan fled to escape violence and persecution.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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