The Squiz

Pakistan will today begin arresting and deporting foreign nationals who have been in the country without documentation. It’ll largely affect about 1.7 million undocumented Afghans who fled their home country over 4 decades, starting after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 80s and, more recently, as the Taliban retook control. It’s another “human rights catastrophe” in the making, according to the United Nations. It says many Afghans facing expulsion – particularly women, children, journalists, ex-government officials and human rights activists – will be at risk if they return home.

Why is Pakistan forcing them to leave?

There’s been a significant rise in crime this year, particularly along the country’s northwestern border with Afghanistan. That’s the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, and it’s seen more than 300 attacks this year. The Pakistani Government says the militant group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan – which has ties with the Taliban – is behind it. Officials have accused the Taliban of giving the militants sanctuary, which Taliban officials deny, and Pakistan’s caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti also points to “14 out of 24” suicide bombings in 2023 being carried out by Afghans. So those tensions have set the scene for Pakistan’s Government to issue the expulsion order on 3 October, setting a 31 October deadline for anyone in the country “illegally” to get out or face deportation. 

What happens now?

Reports say that by Monday this week, close to 200,000 Afghans had already returned, and Pakistan’s officials say now the deadline’s passed, deportations will “be done in phases” – likely starting with people with criminal records. Many Afghans facing expulsion have spoken about their fears of going back to life under Taliban rule, but the Taliban – which called the situation “unacceptable” – claims it will set up basic services for those returning. Earlier this month, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Afghans “will return to their country without any worries and adopt a dignified life”. But human rights groups say the outlook is dim and have called for Pakistan’s order to be cancelled. Watch this space…