Pakistan, a traditional land of welcome for Afghan nationals fleeing their countries, is over, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Following a wave of attacks in which Afghan nationals were allegedly involved, Islamabad ordered undocumented people from that country to leave the country within three weeks.
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More than 1.7 million Afghans have until November 1 to pack their bags. Deemed to be living illegally in Pakistan, they will be forcibly expelled, the interior minister warned. Furthermore, only Afghan nationals in possession of valid passports and visas will still be able to come to Pakistan.
Wave of attacks
Since a wave of attacks shook the country, relations with Afghanistan have been very tense. Afghans are believed to be involved in more than half of the twenty-four suicide attacks committed this year, according to the Pakistani government, which accuses Afghanistan of providing a rear base for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Islamist movement.
“ Harassment »
Accusations denied outright by Kabul. The Afghan embassy in Islamabad speaks of measures falling under “ harassment “. The return of the Taliban to Kabul in August 2021 caused at least 600,000 Afghans to flee to the neighboring country. In total, Pakistan today welcomes more than four million Afghan refugees on its soil. Many of them live in camps, often without access to schools, healthcare and jobs.
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