2023-10-04 14:21:22
Title: Pakistani Government Urges Afghan Refugees to Leave Country Voluntarily
Date: [Insert Date]
Location: Islamabad, Pakistan
In a bid to tackle the growing number of Afghan refugees, the Pakistani government has called on those who entered the country illegally to leave by November. The sudden surge in the number of refugees prompted Pakistan to request their departure, with an estimated 1.7 million Afghans currently residing in the nation.
Pakistan has accused individuals illegally crossing the border from Afghanistan of launching attacks within its borders. Notably, the influx of refugees surged in 2021 following the return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan.
According to the United Nations, 1.3 million Afghan refugees have been registered in Pakistan. Among them, 880,000 have obtained legal permission to stay in the country. However, the remaining portion, labeled as illegal residents, has been urged to leave voluntarily by the country’s Interior Minister, Sarfas Baghti. He cautioned that failure to comply would result in forceful expulsion from Pakistan.
To address the issue thoroughly, Baghti announced the establishment of a task force tasked with identifying illegal trades and properties acquired by Afghan refugees. An investigation into these matters will be undertaken by the newly formed body.
Local administrations within Pakistan have already begun taking action to locate undocumented refugees. Over the past two weeks, more than 1,000 Afghans have been detained. The border region of Balochistan has become particularly volatile, witnessing frequent clashes between the Tehreek-e-Taliban and Islamic State extremist factions.
This call for voluntary departure and subsequent potential forcible expulsion reflect Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to manage its refugee population and address the security concerns associated with illegal border crossings. The government’s actions aim to strike a balance between providing humanitarian support and maintaining domestic stability.
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