Government of Pakistan Sets up “Holding Centres” to Deport Illegal Immigrants by October 31 Deadline
Islamabad, Pakistan – The Pakistan government has made preparations to deport illegal immigrants, including an estimated 1.7 million Afghan nationals, by the October 31 deadline. The government issued an ultimatum earlier this month for all undocumented immigrants to leave Pakistan by the deadline, or face imprisonment and deportation.
While the government has maintained that the deportation announcement applies to all illegal immigrants, caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti blamed Afghan nationals specifically during a press conference. According to Bugti, “Illegal Afghan nationals were responsible for 14 of the 24 suicide bombings in the country this year. Safety and security of the people of Pakistan is the prime responsibility and foremost priority of the government.”
Bugti urged illegal immigrants living in Pakistan to voluntarily return to their countries, stating that the plan for their repatriation has been finalized. In order to handle the situation, holding centres have been established across various cities in the country to accommodate the illegal immigrants. Meanwhile, individuals leaving voluntarily will receive assistance in leaving Pakistan.
Bugti emphasized that there will be no compromise as the deadline approaches, asserting that Pakistan is determined to expel all illegal immigrants. The decision to deport all illegal immigrants was made during a meeting of the apex committee, led by caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and attended by Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir.
As part of the decision, movement across the border will now require passports and visas, with electronic Afghan identity cards (e-tazkiras) being accepted only until October 31. In addition, “holding centres” have been established in various provinces and cities, including Islamabad, Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, where illegal immigrants will be provided with medical facilities and food.
Bugti reassured that women, children, and the elderly will be treated with respect. He stated, “So in the first stage, we will expel them. We have made holding centres for them. They will not be sent to jail […] and from the centre, they will be transported out of Pakistan.”
The Interim Interior Minister also announced the terms and conditions for the return of all such immigrants, sharing that the state has conducted geo-fencing and identified areas where illegal immigrants were residing. Bugti also revealed that a significant crackdown will be launched against the illegal immigrants, including Afghan nationals, who will be arrested and expelled to their native countries.
According to Bugti, Pakistan has been hosting Afghan refugees for the past four decades, accommodating millions who fled Afghanistan during the 1979-1989 Soviet occupation. In response to criticism received after the October 5 announcement, which targeted Afghan nationals specifically, the Foreign Office clarified that the decision to deport illegal residents was not aimed solely at Afghan refugees but at all immigrants residing in the country illegally without valid visa documents.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch confirmed that the national policy towards Afghan refugees remains unchanged, and their safe repatriation is a separate matter.
It is important to note that the outlawed Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP, frequently claims responsibility for attacks on Pakistani security forces. Pakistan has long demanded that the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan cease their support for the TTP.
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