ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to send back over one million Afghan nations living in Pakistan illegally.
This decision was taken at a meeting of the federal cabinet recently in which a plan was also shared with the ministers for phase-wise repatriation of the Afghans.
The meeting was told that at least 1.1 million Afghans are currently living in the country without legal documents and they are not only a security risk but most of them have also been involved in street crime.
According to a plan shared with stakeholders, including the Afghan authorities, the illegal Afghans will be sent back to their country in phases.
In the first phase, all illegal Afghan migrants including those who have failed to renew their Pakistan visa would be sent back.
In the second phase, Afghan citizens and those holding proof of residence cards would be repatriated.
It may be noted that after withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan in 2021, over 0.4 million Afghans crossed into Pakistan to avoid persecution at the hands of Taliban, who took over control of Kabul.
News Diplomacy has learnt that at least 0.7 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan have failed to renew their documents allowing them to stay in Pakistan.
Officials say that most of the Afghan nationals are involved in street crime, terrorism and drug peddling.
Early this year, the National Assembly was informed that Afghan illegal settlers in Islamabad were involved in rising street crime in the federal capital.
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