Karachi, Pakistan
The UN on Tuesday opposed a deadline set by Pakistan to evict more than a million “illegal migrants”, saying “the return must be voluntary and without any pressure”.
“Any return of refugees must be voluntary and without any pressure to ensure the protection of those seeking safety,” Qaisar Khan Afridi, spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), told Anadolu.
Pakistan on Tuesday gave a month’s deadline to all “illegal immigrants” to leave the country by November 1.
“We have seen disconcerting press reports about a plan to deport undocumented Afghans and we are asking our government partners for clarity,” Afridi added.
He urged Islamabad, which “has generously hosted refugees for more than 40 years,” to establish a mechanism to ensure that Afghans with international protection are not deported.
“We must also keep in mind that those fleeing persecution often do not have the necessary documents or travel permits,” he said.
He said UNHCR is ready to support Pakistan in developing a mechanism to manage and register people in need of international protection on its territory and respond to “particular vulnerabilities.”
“Pakistan has remained a generous host of refugees for decades. This role has been recognized globally, but more needs to be done to match its generosity,” he went on to say.
According to the latest UN figures, around 1.3 million Afghans enjoy registered refugee status, while another 880,000 have legal status to remain in Pakistan.
At least 700 Afghans have been arrested since early September in Karachi alone, and hundreds more in other cities, according to police figures.
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