Pakistan has ordered the immediate arrest of any Afghan national residing in the country without a valid visa starting July 10, 2024 [3].
This directive marks a significant escalation in the government's effort to manage a refugee population that has long strained regional security and resources. The move places thousands of vulnerable individuals at risk of detention and forced removal.
The Ministry of Interior issued the arrest order to ensure that all foreign nationals are properly documented [3]. This action coincides with a broader strategy to regularize immigration and address security concerns across the country, with a particular focus on border provinces and cities such as Peshawar [1], [3].
There is conflicting information regarding the timeline for those facing deportation. Some reports state that Pakistan extended the deadline for Afghan refugees to leave the country to Sept. 1, 2024 [1]. However, other reports indicate that the government declined to extend key deadlines and has resumed forced deportations [2].
Approximately 1.4 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan are subject to these deportation measures [2]. United Nations officials said they are concerned over the humanitarian impact of these policies, citing the precarious conditions facing those forced to return to Afghanistan [2].
The government said the measures are necessary to manage the large Afghan population and maintain national security [1], [2]. Authorities are focusing enforcement on those who have failed to register or obtain legal residency permits.
“Pakistan has ordered the immediate arrest of any Afghan national residing in the country without a valid visa starting July 10, 2024”
The contradictory reports regarding the Sept. 1 deadline suggest a volatile policy environment where enforcement may be happening faster than official communications are being disseminated. By shifting from a deportation deadline to a mandate for immediate arrests, Pakistan is transitioning from a managed exit strategy to a high-pressure security operation, likely increasing the burden on humanitarian agencies and the Afghan government's capacity to absorb returnees.
