KARACHI: Sindh Caretaker Home Minister Haris Nawaz on Tuesday disclosed that around 4,000 Afghan nationals illegally staying in Karachi, had returned back to home so far amid the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) concerns that deportation of undocumented foreigners — most of whom comprise Afghans — will “trigger a humanitarian crisis.”
Talking to media here, the caretaker minister said that illegal Afghan immigrants in batches of 300 to 400 will be sent to Chaman border-crossing within two to three days.
It is to be noted that October 31, is fixed by the government as the last day of the immigrants illegally staying in Pakistan to leave voluntarily.
The home minister said that illegal immigrants will not be kept in the country for more days. “An operation will be launched against illegal immigrants from tomorrow,” caretaker minister said.
“Pakistan has host Afghan brethren for long time,” he stated. “Those staying legally in the country, wouldn’t have any problem. Those without travel papers will be sent back to their country,” he said.
“There are 1,70,000 Afghan citizens in Sindh, around one Lac in Karachi,” Nawaz said. He said that illegally staying Indian and Bangladeshi citizens will be sent back to their countries by trains.
“A crackdown will be launched against those who won’t leave the country voluntarily,” he further said. “Those harbouring illegal immigrants would also face legal consequences,” provincial minister said. The government has setup refugee camps in KP and Balochistan with arrangements of food, medical treatment and other basic necessities.
Deportations can trigger a ‘humanitarian crisis’
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Tuesday expressed concern over the government’s decision to expel undocumented foreigners — most of whom comprise Afghans — and urged the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to ensure protection for Afghan refugees.
In a letter addressed to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi on Tuesday, HRCP Chairperson Hina Jilani said the move to expel Afghans could “trigger a humanitarian crisis”.
“The decision amounts to forced repatriation, which is not recognised under international customary law, and will invariably affect vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers, which include women, children, the elderly, persons living with disabilities, persons from low-income groups, and Afghans at risk because of their professions — many of whom fled Afghanistan after the Afghan Taliban took over the government in August 2021,” the letter stated.
The Pakistan government’s deadline for expelling all undocumented foreigners—the bulk of whom comprise Afghan nationals—is less than 12 hours away.
HRCP has issued an open letter to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees @FilippoGrandi, UN Secretary-General @antonioguterres and… pic.twitter.com/1K2bkH0n9b
— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) October 31, 2023
It noted that despite criticism from human rights organisations, the government had not shown any signs of reconsidering its decision and had gone so far as to prevent civil society members from expressing their views on the matter.
It highlighted that the interim interior minister had announced that the current phase of expulsion would be followed by the deportation of foreign with legitimate documents, including Afghans who hold proof-of-residence cards.
The HRCP, the letter went on to say, had also received reports of harassment, intimidation, extortion and arrests of Afghans while media reports suggested that 77 Afghan refugees with legitimate documents had already been deported.
“While HRCP recognises that the government may have legitimate security concerns tied to a small number of foreign nationals resident in the country illegally, we believe that humanitarian concerns must override security interests,” it said, adding that such a decision did not fall within the mandate of an unelected government.
“We also believe that refugees and asylum seekers should be allowed to thrive along with their hosts and that the rights of both are not mutually exclusive.”
The commission further regretted that Pakistan was not a signatory of the 1951 Refugees Conventions, lacked a national asylum system and addressed issues pertaining to Afghan refugees through “ad hoc and discretionary policies”.
It highlighted that Pakistan was bound by universal customary laws of non-refoulment which prohibit deporting anyone to a place where they would face a real risk of persecution, torture, ill-treatment or life threats.
“HRCP believes that the Pakistan government’s actions in this context amount to violations of international customary law, given that the prevailing circumstances in Afghanistan are not at all conducive to the safe return and reintegration of vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers,” the letter said.
It subsequently urged the UNHCR to call on the government to extend the Nov 1 deadline, ensure that no migrants or refugees with legitimate documentation were expelled, ensure refugees were treated with dignity and facilitate their access to documentation.
The letter also suggested that the government should devise a “rights-based domestic policy” on refugees, revisit the “flawed” Foreigners Act of 1946 and sign the 1951 Refugees Convention and the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees.
NCSW issues urgent stay appeal for vulnerable Afghan women
Meanwhile, the National Commission on the Status of Women, in a letter written to Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti today, said there were approximately 2.5 million widows in Afghanistan, some of whom came to Pakistan in search of livelihood.
“These women are journalists, doctors, software engineers, and others who are undocumented due to various circumstances beyond their control,” it stated.
Quoting unofficial sources, the commission said there were around 30,000 Afghan women at risk. “These women sought refuge in Pakistan due to the inhuman treatment of women in their country,” it said, expressing concerns that their “compelled return” to Afghanistan posed threats of persecution, abuse and death.
The letter urged Bugti to review the cases of undocumented Afghan women on an individual basis taking into account specific challenges and vulnerabilities.
“By doing so, we can ensure that those who genuinely need protection are not forced back into a highly perilous and dangerous situation,” it added.
