Quetta (HRNW)- A significant change has been introduced in the government’s policy regarding illegal Afghan nationals in Pakistan. Previously, Afghan citizens without valid visas or passports were arrested, shifted to holding camps, and later deported to Afghanistan through border crossings.
However, following recent Pak-Afghan tensions and the expiry of the government’s deadline, the procedure has been revised. Under the new policy, instead of only transferring undocumented Afghan nationals to holding camps, formal cases are now being registered against them, and they are being moved to police stations or prisons.
According to sources, some Afghan nationals have successfully obtained bail from the courts, while a large number of applications have reportedly been rejected. In a notable decision, the Peshawar High Court cancelled the bails of Afghan nationals arrested under the Foreigners Act and directed authorities to transfer them to jail.
The court further stated in its order that once the Pak-Afghan border reopens, relevant authorities should immediately inform the court so that the legal process for deporting detained Afghan citizens to Afghanistan can proceed accordingly.
Following this policy shift, challenges for Afghan refugees who have not yet voluntarily returned have increased and are expected to continue in the coming period.
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