Title: Pakistan Sets Deadline for Afghan Migrants to Leave, Triggering Mass Exodus
In a move that has caused widespread concern, Pakistan has issued a strict deadline of November 1 for all undocumented migrants to leave the country. The announcement has created a heightened level of anxiety among Afghan migrants, including those with valid papers, who are now being forced to leave Pakistan due to the expulsion threat.
The Taliban government in Afghanistan has reported a substantial increase in the number of Afghan returnees from Pakistan. This surge has prompted an unexpected rise in demand for bus services near Karachi’s Sohrab Goth area, as many Afghans make the difficult decision to return to their home country.
In response to criticism, Pakistan’s Interior Ministry and Foreign Ministry have defended the expulsion plan, stating that it complies with international norms and principles. The country is home to over 4 million Afghan migrants and refugees, with a staggering 1.7 million of them residing there without proper documentation.
The expulsion threat follows a series of suicide bombings in Pakistan, which the government has blamed on Afghan individuals. As a result, cash-strapped Pakistan claims that undocumented migrants have drained its resources for decades. However, critics argue that the mass expulsion plan creates “serious protection risks” for women and girls, as stated by the UNHCR and IOM.
Even Afghan migrants with legal status and valid documents are not spared from the intensified scrutiny, leading many to voluntarily leave Pakistan. Fear of being separated from family members who lack documentation is also a driving factor behind the exodus.
As Afghanistan deals with the influx of returning migrants and refugees, its limited resources are being stretched to the breaking point. The country’s unemployment rate has doubled since the Taliban takeover, and approximately two-thirds of its population is now dependent on humanitarian aid.
The controversial move by Pakistan to expel Afghan migrants has sparked international criticism. Humanitarian organizations are urging both countries to seek alternative solutions that prioritize the safety and well-being of those involved, particularly vulnerable women and girls.
In the coming weeks, the world will be watching as the deadline approaches, hoping for a resolution that balances Pakistan’s concerns with the protection and welfare of the Afghan migrants caught in the middle of this escalating crisis.
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