Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – Pakistan has issued a directive requiring Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders and illegal foreigners to leave the country by March 31, with deportations set to begin on April 1, according to a statement by the Interior Ministry. The government emphasized that ample time has been provided for a “respectful return” and assured that no one would be mistreated during the process.
The move comes as Pakistan intensifies its crackdown on undocumented foreigners, citing a rise in militant attacks. Islamabad accuses anti-Pakistan terrorist groups of operating from Afghan soil, a claim denied by the Taliban administration in Afghanistan. Since November 2023, over 757,000 undocumented Afghans have been repatriated, including voluntary returns.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has urged Pakistan to continue protecting vulnerable refugees, highlighting Afghanistan’s severe humanitarian crisis and human rights challenges, particularly for women and girls. According to UN estimates, 1.3 million Afghans are registered refugees in Pakistan, with an additional 880,000 holding legal status.
The decision underscores growing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as Islamabad seeks to address security concerns while balancing its humanitarian obligations.
