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Pakistan Seeks Resettlement of Sponsored Afghans
Pakistan urges sponsored countries to resettle Afghan refugees as part of its Illegal Foreigner Repatriation Plan.
ND
by News Desk
2025-02-05
Pakistan Seeks Resettlement of Sponsored Afghans

Pakistan has formally written to relevant countries for the resettlement of Afghan refugees who were initially sponsored for relocation. The move comes amid an intensified drive to deport illegally residing foreigners, according to sources from the Ministry of Interior.

Under the Illegal Foreigner Repatriation Plan, Pakistan has begun sending undocumented foreign nationals back to their countries of origin. As part of this initiative, 781 illegal Afghan citizens have already been deported to Afghanistan via the Torkham border crossing.

Sources confirmed that while deportations continue, Afghan refugees designated for relocation to sponsored countries have not yet been expelled. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has written to these countries, urging them to fulfill their commitments to resettle the Afghans temporarily residing in Pakistan.

"If the sponsored countries do not call the Afghan citizens, they will be deported," the sources warned, indicating Pakistan’s firm stance on resolving the issue of illegal foreign residents.

The repatriation plan aims to address growing concerns about undocumented foreign nationals, including security risks and resource strain. Afghan citizens, many of whom fled their homeland following the change in government in 2021, form a significant portion of the affected population.

Pakistan's decision highlights the delicate balance between honoring international commitments to refugees and safeguarding national interests. The outcome of the government's appeal to sponsored countries will be pivotal in determining the fate of Afghan refugees currently awaiting relocation.
Tagged:

afghanrefugees

PakistanRepatriation

ImmigrationNews

SponsoredRelocation
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