Pakistan enforces March 31 deadline for foreigner exit

In Pakistan, the Foreign Office insisted on March 31 as the final deadline for Afghan Citizen Card holders and undocumented foreigners to leave the country, dismissing concerns raised by international agencies regarding the repatriation process. The spokesman emphasized that the decision aligns with the Pakistani government's immigration laws and humanitarian efforts, which have historically been voluntary. Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi called for a gradual repatriation of Afghan refugees globally, emphasizing the need for respectful and dignified returns. He pointed out the challenges of managing mass returns and reiterated the lack of security challenges throughout Afghanistan. Pakistan's Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Programme has been active since November 1, 2023, targeting nearly three million Afghan citizens. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved a multistage plan for this initiative amid criticism from international humanitarian organizations. Despite these concerns, Islamabad maintained that it continues to fulfill local immigration laws while providing hospitality to Afghans, calling for documented visas for all refugees. In response to ongoing terrorist threats from entities such as Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and others, the government deemed it essential to ensure that individuals on their soil are legal visa holders. Recently, Islamabad summoned the Afghan chargé d'affaires in protest over the use of Afghan territory for terrorist activities against Pakistan. The situation highlights the tense relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with the latter expressing ongoing concerns about border security and the potential threat of terrorism. The reopened Torkham border crossing, agreed upon through mutual discussions, is currently operational until April 15, and there are hopes for a permanent arrangement thereafter. This bilateral engagement illustrates the complexities of managing both border security and the humanitarian aspect of refugee repatriation. The Rawalpindi administration has committed resources to execute the National Action Plan focused on illegal foreigners, encroachments, and drug-related issues. As part of this, senior officials met to plan a crackdown on encroachments across the city, asserting public security and the restoration of local order. The authorities are also addressing narcotics-related problems, engaging relevant services in treatment for substance use disorders. Recent measures include a joint operation with police that successfully apprehended two suspected terrorists linked to TTP, indicating ongoing efforts to combat domestic terrorism in the region.