Friday, Apr 4 2025 | Time 15:55 Hrs(IST)
WorldPosted at: Apr 3 2025 8:03PM


Pakistan resumes deportation of Afghan nationals after Eid extension

Peshawar, Apr 3 (UNI) Pakistani authorities have begun the second phase of deportation of Afghan refugees in the city of Peshawar, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, following the expiration of a government deadline for Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders to leave the country voluntarily.
While the government had set the deadline to March 31, refusing any extension calls from the international community, Islamabad had extended the deadline by two days.
“Although the deadline was March 31, the provincial government exte­nded it till April 2 keeping in view Eidul Fitr. Now, phase 2 will begin from (Thursday) and we have established camps, one each at Landi Kotal and Nasir Bagh Road,” a senior official from Afghan Commi­ssionerate in Peshawar told Dawn.
The two-day Eid relaxation apparently caused some confusion amongst officials, with some sources suggesting a further extension.
Law enforcement authorities also confirmed an extension of the deadline, though an official in the country’s interior ministry denied any such reports.
According to official statistics, a total of 69,494 families — including 473,397 individuals, of which 157,513 were men, 111,381 were women and 197,821 children — have been sent back to Afghanistan since September 2023.
The ongoing deportation process of Afghan nationals in Pakistan remains a highly controversial and contentious issue, as the UNHCR has called for better treatment of refugees by Pakistani authorities, while the Taliban has criticised Islamabad for its continued harassment and mistreatment of Afghan nationals, as many individuals with legal visas have been subject to forced deportations.
The situation has further put a socio-economic burden on Afghanistan, as Kabul faces increasing difficulty in accommodating the new migrants due to lack of infrastructure, healthcare, basic housing, and employment amongst other problems, further exacerbating the deteriorating situation of the migrants.

UNI ANV RN
Tags: #Pakistan resumes deportation of Afghan nationals after Eid extension
More News
Bangladesh Chief Advisor Mohd Yunus says holding elections are top priority

Bangladesh Chief Advisor Mohd Yunus says holding elections are top priority

04 Apr 2025 | 2:26 PM

Bangkok/Dhaka, Apr 4 (UNI) Bangladesh Chief Advisor Mohammed Yunus has said that holding elections in the country is currently the top priority of his government.

see more..
Iran condemns Israeli attacks on Palestinians

Iran condemns Israeli attacks on Palestinians

04 Apr 2025 | 2:12 PM

Tehran, Apr 4 (UNI) Iran on Thursday condemned what it called Israel's continued "crimes" and attacks against Palestinians.

see more..
BIMSTEC Ministers sign agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation

BIMSTEC Ministers sign agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation

04 Apr 2025 | 1:05 PM

Bangkok, Apr 4 (UNI) The 20th Session of the BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting (MM), attended by Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in Bangkok, Thailand, saw the Ministers signing the BIMSTEC Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation, marking a significant step toward strengthening regional maritime partnerships.

see more..
Danish PM rebukes U S attempt to annex Greenland, urging respect of int'l law

Danish PM rebukes U S attempt to annex Greenland, urging respect of int'l law

04 Apr 2025 | 12:13 PM

Oslo, Apr 4 (UNI) Accusing the United States of subjecting Denmark and Greenland to "pressure and threats", Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Thursday firmly rejected U.S. attempts to annex Greenland, citing international law.

see more..
S Korean constitutional court upholds Prez Yoon's impeachment

S Korean constitutional court upholds Prez Yoon's impeachment

04 Apr 2025 | 11:17 AM

Seoul, Apr 4 (UNI) South Korea's constitutional court upheld a motion by the National Assembly to impeach President Yoon Suk-yeol over his short-lived martial law imposition, a live TV broadcast showed Friday.

see more..