Pakistan Reiterates Firm Stance: Afghan Refugees' Stay is Transitory, Not Permanent

In a significant reaffirmation of its national policy, Pakistan's Foreign Office has declared that the presence of Afghan refugees within its borders is fundamentally transitory, emphasizing that such an arrangement cannot extend indefinitely. This resolute stance, articulated by Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, underscores Pakistan's unwavering commitment to its comprehensive plan for the repatriation of all undocumented foreign nationals, particularly those from Afghanistan, a process that commenced on November 1, 2023.

Spokesperson Baloch underscored the government's perspective, stating unequivocally that "the stay of Afghan refugees in Pakistan is transitory and cannot be an indefinite arrangement." She further elaborated on Pakistan's principled approach, advocating for the repatriation process to be executed "in a phased and principle manner and with dignity and ease." This statement follows a consistent message from Islamabad, which has repeatedly urged the interim Afghan government to actively facilitate the dignified return of its citizens, recognizing the shared responsibility in managing this complex humanitarian and logistical challenge.

Since the initiation of the repatriation drive on September 17, 2023, Pakistan has witnessed the voluntary return of over half a million undocumented Afghans.

This figure highlights the scale of the ongoing effort to regularize the status of foreign nationals within its borders. Pakistan currently hosts a substantial Afghan population, estimated at approximately 4.4 million. This includes 1.4 million registered refugees, 1.3 million holding Afghan Citizen Cards (ACCs), and a significant contingent of roughly 1.7 million individuals who lack valid documentation, making them the primary focus of the government's repatriation policy.

The policy's implementation is driven by a confluence of critical factors, primarily Pakistan's escalating security and economic challenges.

Baloch highlighted that the "large presence of foreign nationals has adversely affected Pakistan over time," implicitly referring to the strain on resources and infrastructure. More critically, the Foreign Office has pointed to direct linkages between the presence of foreign nationals and Pakistan's internal security landscape, noting the involvement of Afghan nationals in terrorist attacks within the country.

These security concerns, coupled with economic pressures, have solidified the government's resolve to manage its borders and population more stringently.

It is crucial to note that Pakistan's decision is meticulously framed as "non-discriminatory" and universally applicable to "all illegal foreigners irrespective of their nationality." This clarification aims to dispel notions of targeted ethnic or national bias, positioning the policy as a comprehensive national security and immigration measure.

The government maintains that the repatriation plan is a necessary step to safeguard national interests, ensure public safety, and manage its demographic and economic burdens effectively, signaling a definitive end to the open-ended hospitality that has characterized decades of refugee hosting.